CBD Science Group’s study into the role that cannabinoids can play in treating cancer related pain has been endorsed by the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI).
The NCRI Living With and Beyond Cancer (LWBC) executive group endorsed the company's real-world evidence, peer-reviewed clinical trial.
Looking to begin in the second quarter of 2022, CBD Science’s study aims to quickly deliver approved therapies to patients nationally with trial protocols already developed and patient recruitment underway.
“We are delighted and proud to have been offered this endorsement from the NCRI LWBC, which offers hope to millions of people with long term cancer pain around the world,” said CBD Science’s chief commercial officer, Graeme McFarlane.
“This partnership will further progress CBD Science Group towards our objective of realising the advantages of cannabinoids in fulfilling this urgent need of suffering patients. We strongly believe in the opportunity that our RWE (ETR:RWE) study presents, and look forward to working closely and deepening our relationship with the NCRI.”
CBD Science has appointed a clinical advisory board under the direction of the group's chief clinical advisor, Professor Mike Bewick, former deputy medical director of NHS England, along with other leading experts in the space.
One of these is Professor Sam Ahmedzai, who also co-chairs the NCRI LWBC group.
“Previous research into cancer-related pain focused on those with advanced disease, however there is a large and rapidly growing population of people surviving for many years with cancer,” Professor Ahmedzai said.
“The reality is that chronic pain related to the cancer itself or indeed arising from the anti-cancer treatments, is an insurmountable barrier to living a productive and rewarding life with family and friends – at all stages of cancer. Sadly current pain treatment options are largely ineffective or cause even more harmful side-effects; therefore new research is urgently needed to find better therapies.
“I am delighted to actively participate in CBD Science Group's goal of finding an effective and safer medicinal cannabis solution to relieve the suffering of patients living with cancer-related pain.”
CBD Science pointed out that the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on medical cannabis state that previous evidence for chronic pain associated with cancer patients was lacking, rendering research into the use of cannabinoids as an alternative pain medicine was timely.
NICE has also recommended against use of opioid-based painkillers for people with chronic primary pain and is actively encouraging research into alternative solutions.
CBS (NYSE:CBS) Science noted that the UK has an estimated 3mln patients suffering from cancer, with pain prevalence shown to be affecting 39.3% after curative treatment; 55.0% during anticancer treatment; and 66.4% in advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease.
“With millions of patients going untreated for cancer related pain It is clear that proving cannabis based medicines as an alternative for successful pain treatments is needed as a matter of urgency,” the company said.