New cannabinoids for treating cancer pain without addiction
Official title: Peripherally-restricted non-addictive cannabinoids for cancer pain treatment
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10726405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new pain relief options for cancer patients that won't cause addiction like regular painkillers, aiming to help manage pain safely without affecting the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $3,174,343 |
| NIH project number | 1UG3NS128148-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10726405 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing chronic pain who are seeking alternative pain management solutions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cancer or are not experiencing chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new synthetic cannabinoids that specifically target pain relief for cancer patients without the addictive side effects associated with traditional opioids. The approach involves creating compounds that do not cross the blood-brain barrier, thereby minimizing central nervous system side effects while effectively managing chronic pain. The research includes a series of laboratory tests and studies to ensure these new treatments are both safe and effective for patients suffering from cancer-related pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer and more effective pain management option for cancer patients, reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using cannabinoids for pain management, but this specific approach with peripherally-restricted cannabinoids is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spigelman, Igor — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Spigelman, Igor
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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-
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-
Intervention to reduce opioid stigma in cancer pain for advanced cancer patients
A patient-friendly plan to help people with advanced cancer manage pain better by reducing stigma around using opioid pain medicines.
-
Safe, digitally-enabled cancer pain care for patients and survivors
A nationwide Mayo Clinic-led program tests a digitally-supported, team-based approach to managing cancer pain that may help patients and survivors receive better, safer pain care.
-
Truncated TrkB and Oral Cancer Pain in Head and Neck Cancer
This project looks at a specific brain receptor told to influence pain in people with oral cancer to find new ways to reduce pain without heavy opioids.
-
Understanding how mouth cancer proteases drive pain in patients
This NIH grant looks at how enzymes in oral cancer tumors may cause pain, aiming to connect specific proteases with how patients feel pain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.