Using cannabis to help cancer patients with pain, sleep, and mood issues

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of hemp-derived CBD (Cannabidiol) with and without THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) compared to a placebo in 185 cancer patients experiencing symptoms such as pain, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. The aim is to assess improvements in sleep quality, pain relief, mood enhancement, cognitive functioning, and overall quality of life. Participants must be aged 25 or older, diagnosed with a solid tumor, and willing to explore cannabis as a treatment option. The study will also monitor potential side effects, particularly cognitive impairment.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Able to provide informed consent
2. Aged ≥25 years at Visit 1 (Baseline)
3. Have a diagnosis of any solid tumor type and is currently undergoing or has undergone either curative or palliative treatment in the past 18 months
4. Currently experiencing symptoms of sleep problems, pain, and/or mood disturbance (i.e., depression, anxiety)
5. Desire to use cannabis to treat their symptoms
6. Must not have been regularly using any cannabis products (more than 3x/month) in the last 6 months
7. Willing to practice acceptable methods of birth control until completing study medication

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Report of illegal drug use (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine) in the past 90 days
2. Current use of anti-epileptic medications (e.g., clobazam, sodium valproate, lamotrigine)
3. Current use of medications known to have major interactions with Epidiolex (e.g., buprenorphine, leflunomide, levomethadyl acetate, lomitapide, mipomersen, pexidartinib, propoxyphene, sodium oxybate, teriflunomide)
4. Current use of anti-psychotic medications
5. Current use of potent CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., Rifampin, apalutamide, carbamazepine, enzalutamide, ivosidenib9, lumacaftor, ivacaftor, phenytoin, St. John's wort, Fosphenytoin, Mitotane, Phenobarbital, Primidone)
6. Liver function tests (Alanine transaminase \[ALT\] and Aspartate transaminase \[AST\]) levels ≥2x the upper normal limits
7. Moderate or severe liver disease
8. Past or current diagnosis, or family history of diagnosis, of psychosis; current major psychiatric illness, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia
9. History of seizures
10. For female participant of childbearing potential: Pregnant or lactating at the time of study enrollment or trying to become pregnant. Lack of childbearing potential confirmed by a history of amenorrhea for at least 12 consecutive months and serum FSH level within the laboratory's reference range for postmenopausal females OR documented bilateral oophorectomy and/or hysterectomy
11. Physician response to passive consent indicating contraindications for participation.
12. Unwilling to refrain from cannabis use other than study drug for the entire study duration
13. Men who consume more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day and women who consume more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day

Where it's running

• Anschutz Health Sciences Building
  Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kyle Chrystal, BA
• Email: kyle.chrystal@colorado.edu
• Phone: 603-769-7718

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.