The Effect of Cannabis-Based Medicine in the Treatment of Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hammond, Samuel; Erridge, Simon; Mangal, Nagina; Pacchetti, Barbara

doi:10.1089/can.2021.0048

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 71 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar results emerged from a cohort study whose participants were regularly observed while taking a 1-year course (51), although those results remain controversial and criticized due to the limited amount of evidence (52). On the other hand, in the context of long-term CBM therapy, increases in the intensity of pain have also been reported (53), with results confirmed with reference to evidence concerning diverse somatic pathological conditions (54). Our results indicate that receiving CBM for either less or more than a year is not a reliable marker for identifying changes in the perception of pain.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Mental disorders are no predictors to determine the duration of cannabis-based treatment for chronic pain

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundChronic pain (CP), a complex biopsychosocial disorder with a global prevalence of up to 33%, can be treated by following multidisciplinary approaches that may include cannabis-based medicine (CBM). However, because CBM continues to be a new treatment, questions remain regarding the ideal duration for CBM and its psychosocial determinants, including mental comorbidities.MethodsIn a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 46 patients with CP (ICD-10 code F45.4-), three validated instruments—the German Pain Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and the Marburg Questionnaire of Habitual WellBeing—were used to identify pain-specific psychosocial determinants and mental disorders. Descriptive analyses, a group differences analysis, and a logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS.ResultsThe patients most frequently reported low back pain as the primary location of their CP, and in attributing the condition to tissue damage, most had largely adopted a somatic orientation in conceptualizing their illness. Most had experienced CP for more than 5 years (M = 5.13 years, SD = 1.41) and, as a consequence, faced significant restrictions in their everyday life and exhibited low subjective wellbeing (MFHW median = 4.00, N = 43, Q1: 2.00, Q3: 9.00, range: 0–20). Comorbidities among the patients included depression, (DASS-Depression, median: 11.50, Q1: 7.00, Q3: 16.25), anxiety (DASS-Anxiety, median: 4.50, Q1: 2.75, Q3: 8.00), and stress (DASS-Stress, median: 11.00, Q1: 7.00, Q3: 15.00). Between the two cannabis-based treatments with a course lasting either less or more than a year, the duration of treatment showed no between-group differences in terms of sociodemographic factors, pain-specific factors, conceptualizations of the illness, or mental disorders. Psychosocial determinants such as subjective wellbeing and mental comorbidities were not significant predictors of the duration of cannabis-based treatment.ConclusionWe found no evidence indicating that the benefits of short-term vs. long-term cannabis-based treatment can be predicted by mental comorbidities or psychosocial factors. However, because CBM may be included in approaches to treat CP, questions about the ideal duration of such treatment remain to be answered.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Mental disorders are no predictors to determine the duration of cannabis-based treatment for chronic pain

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A prior randomized control trial noted that the weight gained in patients with HIV using dronabinol was mainly fat mass 59 . The use of synthetic endocannabinoids has not been shown to be effective in increasing caloric intake, weight gain, or appetite in cancer patients with cachexia in systematic reviews 25,60,61 . However, these meta‐analyses pooled exogenous endocannabinoids and synthetic endocannabinoids, so the reliability of the data is limited given high heterogeneity, and further research is needed.…”

Section: Cannabis and Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition, endocannabinoids, and the use of cannabis: An overview for the nutrition clinician

Russell,

Condo,

DeFlorville

2024

Nut in Clin Prac

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The endocannabinoid system (ECs) is composed of multiple signaling compounds and receptors within the central and peripheral nervous system along with various organs, including the gut, liver, and skeletal muscle. The ECs has been implicated in metabolism, gut motility, and eating behaviors. The ECs is altered in disease states such as obesity. Recent studies have clarified the role of the gut microbiome and nutrition on the ECs. Exogenous cannabinoid (CB) use, either organic or synthetic, stimulates the ECs through CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, the role of CBs is unclear in regard to nutrition optimization or to treat disease states. This review briefly summarizes the effect of the ECs and exogenous CBs on metabolism and nutrition. With the increased legalization of cannabis, there is a corresponding increased use in the United States. Therefore, nutrition clinicians need to be aware of both the benefits and harm of cannabis use on overall nutrition status, as well as the gaps in knowledge for future research and guideline development.

show abstract

“…Nevertheless, several recent meta-analyses that included both RCTs and non-randomised studies demonstrated no effect of cannabis products on appetite increase or improvement of quality of life in cachectic cancer patients [ 113 , 114 , 115 ]. Additionally, from a systematic review and meta-analysis including five randomised trials (all enrolled patients suffered from chronic cancer pain) and twelve observational studies focusing on opioid-sparing effects of cannabis products in patients with chronic pain, it was concluded that adding cannabis had little or no effect on pain relief or sleep disturbance [ 116 ].…”

Section: Clinical Aspects Of Cannabis Productsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential, Limitations and Risks of Cannabis-Derived Products in Cancer Treatment

Woerdenbag

Olinga

Kok

et al. 2023

Cancers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The application of cannabis products in oncology receives interest, especially from patients. Despite the plethora of research data available, the added value in curative or palliative cancer care and the possible risks involved are insufficiently proven and therefore a matter of debate. We aim to give a recommendation on the position of cannabis products in clinical oncology by assessing recent literature. Various types of cannabis products, characteristics, quality and pharmacology are discussed. Standardisation is essential for reliable and reproducible quality. The oromucosal/sublingual route of administration is preferred over inhalation and drinking tea. Cannabinoids may inhibit efflux transporters and drug-metabolising enzymes, possibly inducing pharmacokinetic interactions with anticancer drugs being substrates for these proteins. This may enhance the cytostatic effect and/or drug-related adverse effects. Reversely, it may enable dose reduction. Similar interactions are likely with drugs used for symptom management treating pain, nausea, vomiting and anorexia. Cannabis products are usually well tolerated and may improve the quality of life of patients with cancer (although not unambiguously proven). The combination with immunotherapy seems undesirable because of the immunosuppressive action of cannabinoids. Further clinical research is warranted to scientifically support (refraining from) using cannabis products in patients with cancer.

show abstract

The Effect of Cannabis-Based Medicine in the Treatment of Cachexia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cited by 13 publications

References 71 publications

Mental disorders are no predictors to determine the duration of cannabis-based treatment for chronic pain

Mental disorders are no predictors to determine the duration of cannabis-based treatment for chronic pain

Nutrition, endocannabinoids, and the use of cannabis: An overview for the nutrition clinician

Potential, Limitations and Risks of Cannabis-Derived Products in Cancer Treatment

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About