Update on cannabis and cannabinoids for cancer pain

Cannabinoids in anesthesia and chronic pain: Where do we stand?

Cannabis derivatives have been conventionally employed globally for their curative and restorative properties for various ailments. However, its recreational use and consequent legal restrictions have substantially cramped its scientific research. An emerging interest regarding the profound therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been observed among clinicians. Despite a rich cultural background, high-quality research on cannabinoids is lacking in the Indian scenario. This review readdresses the challenges on this front and brings an insight into the current status of cannabinoids and their utility in scientific exploration. Cannabinoids have a significant medicinal value in various clinical disorders. Its use so far has been based on scarce resources and corroborations, as evidence-based substantiation is limited. Through this review article, we emphasize the remarkable role enacted by cannabinoids in the treatment of various clinical disorders and an utterly significant need to formulate stringent research methodologies to promote its systematic investigation.

An assessment of qualitative and quantitative cannabinoids analysis in selected commercially available cannabis oils in Argentina

In recent years, the therapeutic use of cannabis products, especially cannabis oils, has increased significantly, due to the pharmacological potential of their cannabinoids, for the treatment of conditions, such as pain management, cancer, and epilepsy. In Argentina, patients with medical prescriptions can access to cannabis oil, through self-cultivation, a third-person (grower or importer), or a civil organization authorized for that purpose. However, these products remain largely unregulated in Argentina, and information available regarding labeling accuracy, especially cannabidiol (CBD)/ Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) concentrations are inconsistent or nonexistent, nor long-term product stability, and lot to lot variability. Understanding these properties is fundamental if these products are to be used in patients with a determinate pathology. Therefore, we analyzed commercially available cannabis oils (n: 500) in Argentina for qualitative and quantitative cannabinoids content. In order to provide a detailed overview of their cannabinoids profiles, and determine Δ9-THC, CBD, and cannabinol (CBN) concentrations, samples were diluted and analyzed by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Most of the samples tested positive for cannabinoids (n: 469) with Δ9-THC and CBD as the predominant cannabinoids. Among products tested, only 29.8% (n: 149) gave specific CBD label claims, and testing indicated a CBD tested positive of 70.5% (n: 105). For products (n: 17) with a THC-free label claim, testing indicated 76.5% (n: 13) of Δ9-THC positive, and cannabinoids were not detected in four products. Δ9-THC concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 143.0 mg/mL, CBD concentrations from 0.1 to 125.3 mg/mL, and CBN concentrations from 0.04 to 60.10 mg/mL; CBN/ Δ9-THC ratios ranged from 0.0012 to 2.31, and CBD/ Δ9-THC ratios from 0.0008 to 178.87. Furthermore, the (Δ9-THC + CBN)/CBD ratio of most samples was greater than one. In summary, our results indicate that cannabis oil products show wide variability in cannabinoids content, purity, and labeling.

Supporting Machine Learning Model in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Conventional therapy options for chronic pain are still insufficient and patients most frequently request alternative medical treatments, such as medical cannabis. Although clinical evidence supports the use of cannabis for pain, very little is known about the efficacy, dosage, administration methods, or side effects of widely used and accessible cannabis products. A possible solution could be given by pharmacogenetics, with the identification of several polymorphic genes that may play a role in the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of cannabis. Based on these findings, data from patients treated with cannabis and genotyped for several candidate polymorphic genes (single-nucleotide polymorphism: SNP) were collected, integrated, and analyzed through a machine learning (ML) model to demonstrate that the reduction in pain intensity is closely related to gene polymorphisms. Starting from the patient's data collected, the method supports the therapeutic process, avoiding ineffective results or the occurrence of side effects. Our findings suggest that ML prediction has the potential to positively influence clinical pharmacogenomics and facilitate the translation of a patient's genomic profile into useful therapeutic knowledge.

MASCC guideline: cannabis for cancer-related pain and risk of harms and adverse events

BACKGROUND

Approximately 18% of patients with cancer use cannabis at one time as palliation or treatment for their cancer. We performed a systematic review of randomized cannabis cancer trials to establish a guideline for its use in pain and to summarize the risk of harm and adverse events when used for any indication in cancer patients.

METHODS

A systematic review of randomized trials with or without meta-analysis was carried out from MEDLINE, CCTR, Embase, and PsychINFO. The search involved randomized trials of cannabis in cancer patients. The search ended on November 12, 2021. The Jadad grading system was used for grading quality. Inclusion criteria for articles were randomized trials or systematic reviews of randomized trials of cannabinoids versus either placebo or active comparator explicitly in adult patients with cancer.

RESULTS

Thirty-four systematic reviews and randomized trials met the eligibility criteria for cancer pain. Seven were randomized trials involving patients with cancer pain. Two trials had positive primary endpoints, which could not be reproduced in similarly designed trials. High-quality systematic reviews with meta-analyses found little evidence that cannabinoids are an effective adjuvant or analgesic to cancer pain. Seven systematic reviews and randomized trials related to harms and adverse events were included. There was inconsistent evidence about the types and levels of harm patients may experience when using cannabinoids.

CONCLUSION

The MASCC panel recommends against the use of cannabinoids as an adjuvant analgesic for cancer pain and suggests that the potential risk of harm and adverse events be carefully considered for all cancer patients, particularly with treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor.

Clinical Research Evidence Supporting Administration and Dosing Recommendations of Medicinal Cannabis as Analgesic in Cancer Patients

The analgesic potential of Cannabis sativa L.-based medicinal cannabis products for treatment of cancer associated chronic pains has gained increased interest in recent years. To ensure a controlled distribution of these products and investigate their therapeutic potential, several countries have established so-called pilot trials. Many doctors, however, are hesitant to prescribe medicinal cannabis primarily due to lack of research evidence regarding the products' efficacy, safety and thus questionable dosing guidelines. This review aims to elucidate clinical research supporting administration of medicinal cannabis in cancer patients for analgesic purposes. The cannabinoids' effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its implication in pain regulation is included to illustrate the complexity related to this research field. Published clinical studies on medicinal cannabis primarily consist of observational studies and only one pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), where more RCTs exist on the cannabis-based product, Sativex^® (GW Pharma Ltd., Cambridge, UK). The studies indicate analgesic potential, however non-significantly, for most patients and with acceptable safety profile. Summarizing, high-quality RCTs are scarce in this research field, and the limitations of the observational studies complicates interpretation of clinical outcomes. Despite discrepancy among the studies, they do show indications for administration and dosing regimens providing analgesic effects for some cancer patients.

Perineural Invasion in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: From Molecules towards Drugs of Clinical Relevance

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most threatening solid malignancies. Molecular and cellular mediators that activate paracrine signalling also regulate the dynamic interaction between pancreatic cancer cells and nerves. This reciprocal interface leads to perineural invasion (PNI), defined as the ability of cancer cells to invade nerves, similar to vascular and lymphatic metastatic cascade. Targeting PNI in pancreatic cancer might help ameliorate prognosis and pain relief. In this review, the modern knowledge of PNI in pancreatic cancer has been analysed and critically presented. We focused on molecular pathways promoting cancer progression, with particular emphasis on neuropathic pain generation, and we reviewed the current knowledge of pharmacological inhibitors of the PNI axis. PNI represents a common hallmark of PDAC and correlates with recurrence, poor prognosis and pain in pancreatic cancer patients. The interaction among pancreatic cancer cells, immune cells and nerves is biologically relevant in each stage of the disease and stimulates great interest, but the real impact of the administration of novel agents in clinical practice is limited. It is still early days for PNI-targeted treatments, and further advanced studies are needed to understand whether they could be effective tools in the clinical setting.

Practical Considerations for the Use of Cannabis in Cancer Pain Management—What a Medical Oncologist Should Know

Pain is a highly debilitating emotional and sensory experience that significantly affects quality of life (QoL). Numerous chronic conditions, including cancer, are associated with chronic pain. In the setting of malignancy, pain can be a consequence of the tumor itself or of life-saving interventions, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Despite significant pharmacological advances and awareness campaigns, pain remains undertreated in one-third of patients. To date, opioids have been the mainstay of cancer pain management. The problematic side effects and unsatisfactory pain relief of opioids have revived patients’ and physicians’ interest in finding new solutions, including cannabis and cannabinoids. The medical use of cannabis has been prohibited for decades, and it remains in Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Currently, the legal context for its usage has become more permissive. Various preclinical and observational studies have aimed to prove that cannabinoids could be effective in cancer pain management. However, their clinical utility must be further supported by high-quality clinical trials.

Retrospective Observational Study on the Characteristics of Pain and Associated Factors of Breakthrough Pain in Advanced Cancer Patients

Objective

This study aimed to conduct a retrospective observational study to understand the status of characteristics of pain and identify potential variables influencing the clinical presentation of breakthrough cancer pain (BTP) in advanced cancer patients.

Methods

Advanced cancer patients over 18 years of age; diagnosed with cancer of any type and stage III or IV in the palliative care ward with available data were enrolled between 2018 and 2020. Demographic data and pain-related information were collected by using structured electronic extraction form from Hospital Information System (HIS). Patients who had well-controlled background pain with an intensity ≤4 on a 0–10 numerical scale for >12 hours/day, the presence of transient exacerbations of pain with moderate-severe intensity (≧5), and clearly distinguish from background pain were regarded to have suffered BTP. Spearman correlation was conducted to explore the relationship between pain score and demographics characteristics. Factors significant in univariate analysis were included in the multiple regression model to explore independent predictive factors associated with the BTP.

Results

Of 798 advanced cancer patients, the mean age was 56.7 (SD = 11.84) years. Lung cancer (29.95%) was the most common cancer, and pain (93%) was the most common symptom. More than half (n = 428, 53.6%) of the patients experienced BTP. The median number of BTP episodes was 4 (IQR = 2, 7, range: 1–42). The median intensity of BTP was 6 (IQR = 6, 7, range 5–10). Patients with severe background pain or BTP had longer hospital stay and more symptoms. Besides, more severe background pain was related to higher activity of daily living. Intramuscular injection of hydromorphone hydrochloride was the main medication for BTP onset. Younger age, background pain, anorexia, and constipation were independently associated with the presentation of BTP. BTP pain intensity was independently associated with bloating. Symptom numbers were an independent factor and positively associated with BTP episodes.

Conclusions

BTP resulted in poor prognosis, which has a variable presentation depending on interdependent relationships among different characteristics. Good controlling of background pain and assessment of pain-related symptoms are essential for BTP management. BTP should be managed individually, especially the invisible pain among aged patients. Furthermore, BTP-related education and training were still needed.

Unmet needs of 1210 Chinese breast cancer survivors and associated factors: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Background

Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) often have potential unmet needs. Identification of the specific needs of BCSs is very significant for medical service provision. This study aimed to (1) investigate the unmet needs and quality of life (QoL) of BCSs in China, (2) explore the diverse factors associated with their unmet needs, and (3) assess the association between their unmet needs and QoL.

Methods

A multicentre, cross-sectional survey was administered to 1210 Chinese BCSs. The Cancer Survivor Profile-Breast Cancer and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast scale were administered to survivors who gave informed consent to participate. Data were analysed using t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression analysis, and Pearson correlations.

Results

The 1192 participants completed questionnaires (response rate 98.51%). Our study reveals that the most prevalent unmet needs were in the ‘symptom burden domain’. The unmet needs of BCSs depend on eleven factors; age, time since diagnosis, education level, occupation, payment, family income status, stage of cancer, treatment, family history of cancer, pain, and physical activities. To ensure the provision of high-quality survivorship care and a high satisfaction level, more attention should be paid to actively identifying and addressing the unmet needs of BCSs. The problem areas identified in the Cancer Survivor Profile for breast cancer were negatively associated with all subscales of QoL except the health behaviour domain, with the correlation coefficient ranging from − 0.815 to − 0.011.

Conclusion

Chinese BCSs exhibit a high demand for unmet needs in this study, and the most prevalent unmet needs were in the ‘symptom burden domain’. There was a significant association between patients’ unmet needs (as defined in the Cancer Survivor Profile for breast cancer) and QoL. Future research should focus on enhancements to survivorship or follow-up care to address unmet needs and further improve QoL.

Symptomatic Features and Factors Associated With Do-Not-Resuscitate Consent in Advanced Cancer Patients Admitted to Palliative Care Ward

This study aimed to conduct a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of symptoms and symptom clusters on sociodemographic and disease characteristics, as well as factors associated with Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) consent. Advanced cancer patients were enrolled between 2018 and 2020 with available data. Demographic and clinical data were obtained for analysis from Hospital Information System (HIS) in China. Symptom clusters were extracted by hierarchical cluster analysis. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were conducted to investigate the prevalence characteristics of symptoms and influencing factors of DNR consent, respectively. 798 advanced cancer patients were enrolled. The most prevalent symptoms were pain (93%), anorexia (36.5%), and sleep disorders (34.2%). High heart rate was associated with poor performance status and more symptoms. Three clusters were extracted: fatigue-related, respiratory-circulatory system, and digestive system symptom clusters. The incidence of symptoms was statistically significant in age, gender, education level, residence, BMI, performance status, distress score, ADL, and primary pain level. The DNR signature rate was 15.5%. Female, distant metastasis, in-ward rescue, and appearance of dyspnea were independent influencing factors of DNR signature.Chinese hospitalized cancer patients had more symptoms burden that were influenced by various demographic characteristics, especially pain and fatigue-related symptoms. Concerning the trajectory of vital signs is important among advanced cancer patients. The DNR signature rate was lower and our finding indicating an urgency to accurately assess the prognosis and give more palliative care education to enhance DNR rates and early signing in Chinese context.

Synergistic Interactions of Cannabidiol with Chemotherapeutic Drugs in MCF7 Cells: Mode of Interaction and Proteomics Analysis of Mechanisms

Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive phytocannabinoid, has recently emerged as a potential cytotoxic agent in addition to its ameliorative activity in chemotherapy-associated side effects. In this work, the potential interactions of CBD with docetaxel (DOC), doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (PTX), vinorelbine (VIN), and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) were explored in MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma cells using different synergy quantification models. The apoptotic profiles of MCF7 cells after the treatments were assessed via flow cytometry. The molecular mechanisms of CBD and the most promising combinations were investigated via label-free quantification proteomics. A strong synergy was observed across all synergy models at different molar ratios of CBD in combination with SN-38 and VIN. Intriguingly, synergy was observed for CBD with all chemotherapeutic drugs at a molar ratio of 636:1 in almost all synergy models. However, discording synergy trends warranted the validation of the selected combinations against different models. Enhanced apoptosis was observed for all synergistic CBD combinations compared to monotherapies or negative controls. A shotgun proteomics study highlighted 121 dysregulated proteins in CBD-treated MCF7 cells compared to the negative controls. We reported the inhibition of topoisomerase II β and α, cullin 1, V-type proton ATPase, and CDK-6 in CBD-treated MCF7 cells for the first time as additional cytotoxic mechanisms of CBD, alongside sabotaged energy production and reduced mitochondrial translation. We observed 91 significantly dysregulated proteins in MCF7 cells treated with the synergistic combination of CBD with SN-38 (CSN-38), compared to the monotherapies. Regulation of telomerase, cell cycle, topoisomerase I, EGFR1, protein metabolism, TP53 regulation of DNA repair, death receptor signalling, and RHO GTPase signalling pathways contributed to the proteome-wide synergistic molecular mechanisms of CSN-38. In conclusion, we identified significant synergistic interactions between CBD and the five important chemotherapeutic drugs and the key molecular pathways of CBD and its synergistic combination with SN-38 in MCF7 cells. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the implementation of CBD-based synergistic adjuvant therapies for breast cancer.