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Cannabinoids in Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Cancer-Associated Pain, and Tumor Growth

Cannabinoids have been found to affect tumors of the brain, prostate, colon and rectum, breast, uterus, cervix, thyroid, skin, pancreas, and lymph. However, the full potential of cannabinoids is yet to be understood. This review discusses current knowledge on the promising applications of cannabinoids in treating three different side effects of cancer—chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, cancer-associated pain, and tumor development. The findings suggest that cannabinoids can be used to address some side effects of cancer and to limit the growth of tumors, though a lack of supporting clinical trials presents a challenge for use on actual patients. An additional challenge will be examining whether any of the over one hundred naturally occurring cannabinoids or dozens of synthetic compounds also exhibit useful clinical properties.

Cannabis, Cannabinoids and Cannabis-Based Medicines in Cancer Care

Cannabis sativa has long been known to affect numerous biological activities. Although plant extracts, purified cannabinoids, or synthetic cannabinoid analogs have shown therapeutic potential in pain, inflammation, seizure disorders, appetite stimulation, muscle spasticity, and treatment of nausea/vomiting, the underlying mechanisms of action remain ill-defined.

Medical, therapeutic, and recreational use of cannabis among young men who have sex with men living with HIV

Cannabis plays a role in symptoms management in HIV, especially the alleviation of pain and nausea and stimulation of appetite, and prevalence of cannabis use in HIV-positive populations exceeds that of the general U.S. population. Previous research has described an “overlap” between medical and recreational cannabis use among persons living with HIV. To understand better the motives associated cannabis use among young men who have sex with men living with HIV (HIV+ YMSM), we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 HIV+YMSM in Denver and Chicago.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Survey and Genomic Investigation

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a diagnosis of exclusion with intractable nausea, cy- clic vomiting, abdominal pain, and hot bathing behavior associated with ongoing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure. Increasing cannabis use may elevate CHS prevalence, exacerbating a public health issue with atten- dant costs and morbidity.

Marijuana and Cannabinoids in ESRD and Earlier Stages of CKD

Authors: Joshua L. Rein, Christina M. Wyatt Published in American Journal of Kidney Diseases August 2017 Abstract Marijuana is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States, and legal…

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Review of Potential Mechanisms

Authors: Marieka V. DeVuono, Linda A. Parker Published in Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Publishers June 2020 Abstract Introduction Cannabinoids have long been known for their ability to treat nausea and vomiting….

Use of cannabinoids in cancer patients: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) clinical practice statement.

Authors: B. Whitcomb, C. Lutman, M. Pearl, E. Medlin, E. Prendergast, K. Robison, W. Burke
Gynecologic Oncology, 10 January 2020

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) affect the human endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids reduce chemotherapy induced nausea or vomiting (CINV) and neuropathic pain. Each state has its own regulations for medical and recreational cannabis use. Ef…

Should Oncologists Recommend Cannabis?

Authors: Donald I. Abrams
Current Treatment Options in Oncology, 3 June 2019

Cannabis is a useful botanical with a wide range of therapeutic potential. Global prohibition over the past century has impeded the ability to study the plant as medicine. However, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been developed as a stand-alone pharmaceutical initially …

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: An unrecognized cause of nausea and vomiting.

Authors: Tiffany N. Smith, Anne Walsh, Christopher P. Forest
Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, April 2019

Cannabis has long been used for medical and recreational purposes because of its antiemetic, analgesic, and mood effects. Ironically, chronic use of cannabis can result in paradoxical effects, including a condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Patients with this …

Practical Perspectives in the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting.

Authors: David J. Cangemi, Braden Kuo
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, March 2019

Nausea and vomiting result from complex interactions between afferent and efferent pathways of the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, and autonomic nervous system. Afferent pathways from the vagus nerve, vestibular system, and chemoreceptor trigger zone project to…

Patient Counseling Guidelines for the Use of Cannabis for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea/Vomiting and Chronic Pain.

Authors: Patrick Makary, Jayesh R. Parmar, Natalie Mims, Nile M. Khanfar, Robert A. Freeman
Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy, December 2018

The use of cannabis medications has grown in recent years for the symptomatic relief of chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV) and chronic pain (cancer-related and non-cancer-related). As states legalize the use of cannabis, it is important for pharmacists and other healt…

Oral cannabinoid-rich THC/CBD cannabis extract for secondary prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a study protocol for a pilot and definitive randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial (CannabisCINV).

Authors: Antony J. Mersiades, Annette Tognela, Paul S. Haber, Martin Stockler, Nicholas Lintzeris, et al
BMJ open, 12 September 2018

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains an important issue for patients receiving chemotherapy despite guideline-consistent antiemetic therapy. Trials using delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-rich (THC) products demonstrate limited antiemetic effect, si…