RESEARCHERS in NSW are now recruiting patients for a "world first" medicinal cannabis trial, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
The trial, announced earlier this year by premier Mike Baird (PD 29 Feb) would initially involve 80 patients and could expand to 250 more in a second stage, with the study led by Associate Professor Peter Grimison from Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
NSW Minister for Medical Research, Pru Goward, said it was the largest and most definitive trial ever conducted of a plant-derived cannabis medicine to prevent the chemotherapy symptoms.
The trial will utilise a "pharmaceutical-grade capsule" containing equal amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), developed and supplied by Canadian firm Tilray.
Grimison said there was very limited high-quality research available on the role of cannabis-derived medicines in treating nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
"We have come a long way with conventional anti-nausea medication, but one third of patients continue to suffer during and after chemotherapy," he said.
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