After first being announced in 2021, recruitment is now underway for a unique clinical trial led by SAHMRI and the University of Adelaide, investigating the use of personalised medicinal cannabis to reduce common and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment.

Funded by a $1.5 million investment from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the CANCAN trial is being spearheaded by Associate Professor Hannah Wardill, alongside PhD students Olivia Bellas and Katrina Cao, aiming to provide critical evidence to guide clinical practice.

“Cancer treatments can cause a host of physical and psychological symptoms that impact quality of life, limit treatment effectiveness, and ultimately reduce survival,” A/Prof Wardill said.

“The CANCAN trial will evaluate whether targeting gut distress, caused by mucosal injury, with medicinal cannabis can improve patient wellbeing and help them maintain their intended treatment plan.”

The study is being conducted across four Australian hospital sites including the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, and the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

The research team is looking to recruit a total of 176 adult patients with a solid tumour or haematological cancer, who are currently receiving chemotherapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the medicinal cannabis wafer, containing THC (5-20 mg/day) and CBD (300 mg/day), or a placebo.

Study results will be based on patient-reported outcomes, assessing the impact of treatment on gastrointestinal symptoms, overall symptom burden, appetite, mood, quality of life, chemotherapy modifications, hospitalisation, and healthcare costs.

“Despite growing interest in medicinal cannabis for cancer symptom management, there remains a lack of clinical evidence to support its use. This trial will address that gap and provide much-needed data to help clinicians make informed decisions,” A/Prof Wardill said.

Patient recruitment is strictly clinician-led, and individuals interested in participating should consult their treating oncologist for eligibility assessment.

The medicinal cannabis for the study is being supplied by iX Biopharma Pty Ltd.

Any clinicians interested in enrolling a patient are encouraged to contact A/Prof Hannah Wardill via email hannah.wardill@adelaide.edu.au.