A combination of the cannabis compounds THC and CBD is “an appropriate adjuvant agent to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gynecologic cancer who received high-emetogenic chemotherapy”, according to a newly published study.
Conducted by researchers at the Royal Thai Air Force and Thammasat University Hospital, the objective of the study was to “evaluate the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):cannabinoid (CBD) (1:1) oil in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in gynecologic cancer patients who received moderate-to-high emetogenic chemotherapy.”
This was a randomized, double-blinded, crossover and placebo-controlled trial. Participants had gynecologic cancer and received moderate-to-high emetogenic chemotherapy. Subjects were randomized and divided into two groups (A and B) based on the block of four randomization method.
In the first cycle, groups A and B received THC:CBD extract oil 1:1 (TCEO) and placebo before chemotherapy administration. In the second cycle, groups A and B received placebo and TCEO before chemotherapy administration. Both groups received per protocol antiemetic medication during chemotherapy. Nausea score and side effects were recorded.
A total of 60 cases were recruited. According to researchers, “After exclusion, 54 cases were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 54.4 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.5 kg/m2. Fifty-nine (21/54) percent cases were the advanced stages of cancer.”
The nausea score of TCEO and placebo groups were 2.11 and 2.99, respectively (P < 0.05).”
The study concludes:
The cannabinoid extract (THC:CBD) was an appropriate adjuvant agent to reduce CINV in patients with gynecologic cancer who received high-emetogenic chemotherapy. Dizziness and sedation were the major side effects.
