Annals of Oncology
- In this phase II double-blind crossover study, patients with refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting following intravenous chemotherapy receiving standard antiemesis prophylaxis were randomized to receive an oral THC: cannabidiol (CBD) combination pill or placebo. Multiple cancer types were included, and breast cancer accounted for about a third of cases. Complete response (no vomiting or use of rescue medications) was seen in 24% of patients while on THC:CBD versus 14% with placebo. There was no significant difference in reports of “no vomiting” with THC:CBD versus placebo.
- While these results imply that THC:CBD in addition to standard antiemetic regimens may be associated with less nausea and vomiting, a larger phase III trial is ongoing to evaluate this association.