Investigating cancer-fighting properties of cannabis-related chemical

The trial, funded by Newcastle University spin-out company e-Therapeutics plc, who also manufacture the drug, will investigate its potential for treating patients with a variety of solid tumours.

The drug, called dexanabinol, is from a family of compounds called cannabinoids. It is chemically related to compounds found in cannabis plants, but is synthesised in the lab and lacks any cannabis-like psychological effects.

Professor Ruth Plummer from Newcastle University, who is leading the trial, said, ''The starting point for this trial was to map networks of proteins that appear to have a role in cancer, identify points at which these networks could be disrupted, and then see if there were existing drugs to target these points.

''It was this novel approach - known as network pharmacology - that first highlighted the potential cancer-fighting properties of dexanabinol, which was originally developed to treat patients with severe head injuries. While this certainly illustrates that there may be compounds with real therapeutic potential related to those found in cannabis, it also points to the importance of applying rigorous scientific methods when selecting molecules that might have potential as cancer treatments.

''This is a phase one trial, so the main aim will be to establish what dose is safe and asses any side effects. But we'll also be looking out to see what effect, if any, the drug has on the patient's cancer.''

Around 45 patients are being recruited to take part in the trial at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital, part of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and St James's University Hospital in Leeds. All the participants will have advanced solid tumours that cannot be helped by further existing treatments.