Study: Cannabinoid Therapy Linked to Reduced Pain and Improved Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Patients
- The study found that cannabinoid therapy helped reduce pain and improve quality of life in men with prostate cancer, with potential effects on disease activity.
- Ninety men with confirmed prostate cancer were divided into three groups: chemotherapy alone, cannabinoids alone, and a combination of both, and followed over six months.
- Those using cannabinoids experienced a faster decline in PSA levels and reported greater improvements in pain, emotional well-being, and daily functioning compared to chemotherapy alone.
- Joint chemotherapy and cannabinoid treatment showed higher likelihood of tumor reduction, suggesting cannabinoids may be a safe complementary therapy needing further research through randomized controlled trials.
A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids found that cannabinoid therapy can help reduce pain and improve quality of life in men with prostate cancer, while also showing potential signs of impacting disease activity.
Researchers from Tshwane University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, and the University of Alberta followed 90 men with confirmed prostate cancer over a six-month period. Participants were divided into three groups: those receiving chemotherapy alone, those using cannabinoids alone, and those receiving a combination of both.
The study measured prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, tumor activity through PET/CT scans, and patient-reported outcomes including pain and quality of life at baseline, three months, and six months.
Results showed that both groups using cannabinoids experienced a faster decline in PSA levels compared to the chemotherapy-only group, although final PSA levels were similar across all groups. Imaging results indicated that those receiving both chemotherapy and cannabinoids were more likely to experience tumor reduction or remission.
In terms of patient-reported outcomes, individuals using cannabinoids—either alone or in combination—reported greater reductions in pain and improvements in emotional well-being. Gains were also observed in measures of daily functioning, including self-care and usual activities.
The study’s authors concluded that cannabinoid therapy was associated with meaningful improvements in symptom management and some indicators of tumor response, without evidence of harm. They note that while the findings are promising, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the role cannabinoids may play as a complementary treatment in prostate cancer care.
The study’s full abstract can be found below: