Assessing cannabis treatment for cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy

Assessing Benefits and Harms of Cannabis Use in Patients Treated With Immunotherapy for Cancer: a Prospective Cohort Study

Observational State University of New York at Buffalo · NCT06206941

This study is testing how cannabis use affects symptoms in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy to see if it helps them feel better.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment450 (estimated)
Ages21 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorState University of New York at Buffalo Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsimmunotherapy
Locations2 sites (Portland, Oregon and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06206941 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate how cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors manage symptoms related to their condition and treatment, including the use of cannabis. Participants will complete online surveys and ecological momentary assessments at various time points over a year to compare symptoms between cannabis users and non-users. The study will recruit participants through institutional registries, electronic medical records, and direct outreach during outpatient visits. Data will be collected via video or phone calls to ensure convenience and accuracy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older with a cancer diagnosis who are planning to or currently receiving immunotherapy treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who have used synthetic cannabis or only Cannabidiol (CBD), or those with severe pain limiting movement, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of symptom management in cancer patients, potentially leading to improved patient care and safety.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of cannabis in symptom management for cancer patients is being explored, this specific approach assessing its impact alongside immunotherapy is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* adult age of 21 years or older
* cancer diagnosis and planning or using immunotherapy treatment,
* pain and spend less than 50% in bed or chair
* fluent in english language

Exclusion Criteria:

* use synthetic cannabis or only use Cannabidiol (CBD)
* non users but used in the past 3 months
* prior immunotherapy, Patients receiving immunosuppressants or organ transplant recipients.
* Patients within 6 months of Hospice care.
* Pain that limits movement to more than 50% of their day in bed or chair

Where this trial is running

Portland, Oregon and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.