A New Hope for Cancer Patients
A cannabis-based drug is showing promising results in helping cancer patients maintain and even increase their body weight by stimulating their appetite, according to a recent clinical trial. This development offers hope to millions of individuals suffering from cachexia, a debilitating condition that leads to severe weight and muscle loss.
Cachexia affects around 80% of people with advanced cancer and is linked to roughly one in three cancer deaths. Currently, there are no approved treatments to prevent or reverse this condition. However, a small British biotech company may have found a solution by leveraging the appetite-boosting effects of cannabis.
The Science Behind the Drug
Artelo Biosciences has developed a synthetic molecule called ART27.13, which targets the body’s cannabinoid receptors. This compound mimics the natural compounds found in cannabis but does not cause the mind-altering effects typically associated with the plant. The drug is taken as a tablet and has completed its second phase of clinical trials.
The double-blind study showed that patients taking the new treatment gained an average of 6.4% of their body weight over 12 weeks, compared to a 5.4% loss among those given a placebo. Some patients even gained up to 20%. Participants also became more active, with data from wearable trackers showing increased movement, while those on the placebo became less active.
Positive Outcomes and Benefits
No significant side effects were reported, and patients did not experience the “high” typically associated with cannabis. Professor Barry Laird, who led the study at the University of Oslo, described the results as “massive.” He noted that one patient was able to play a round of golf again, while another managed a weekend holiday—milestones they thought they’d never reach.
The psychological benefits were equally important, according to Professor Laird. He said, “When patients can sit at the dinner table again and enjoy a meal with loved ones, it’s hugely impactful. It’s a quality-of-life issue.”
The trial involved 25 people with advanced cancers, including lung, abdominal, and gynaecological forms of the disease. Every participant who received the treatment either gained weight or stopped losing it, which Professor Laird called “encouraging.”
Future Steps and Potential Impact
Artelo Biosciences plans to launch large-scale phase three trials, expanding the number of participants twelvefold before submitting the results to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and international regulators for approval.
Chief scientific officer Andy Yates said the drug could reach patients by 2028 if the next phase of trials proves successful and partnerships with larger pharmaceutical firms are secured.
This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the fight against cachexia and offers new hope for cancer patients struggling with weight loss and reduced quality of life. As research continues, the potential impact of this drug could be transformative for many individuals facing the challenges of advanced cancer.