Medicinal cannabis research receives $1.5m boost.

“The CANCAN trial will show that targeting gut distress, due to mucosal injury, with medical cannabis will improve patient wellbeing and maintenance of intended dosing." - Dr Hannah Wardill

The Medical Research Future Fund investment was awarded to Dr Hannah Wardill for the CANCAN trial - a large clinical study which aims to guide clinical practice.

“Cancer therapies are highly toxic and cause a constellation of physical and psychosocial symptoms that negatively impact quality of life, dose intensity and survival,’’ Dr Wardill said.

Recent attention has centred on the use of medicinal cannabis for the management of these symptoms. While largely driven by patients and their advocates, the use of cannabis in this context has challenged medical professionals who feel ill-equipped to guide their patients due to the lack of empirical evidence.

“The CANCAN trial will show that targeting gut distress, due to mucosal injury, with medical cannabis will improve patient wellbeing and maintenance of intended dosing."

“It’s also hoped the personalised CBD and THC preparation will prevent and manage clusters of related side effects of cancer therapy including detrimental effects to sleep, appetite, mood, pain and fatigue.”

The cannabis medicine to be used in the study will be provided by LeafCann Group Pty Ltd, an Adelaide-based, federally licensed, medicinal cannabis company.

Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) says the University of Adelaide has a strategic commitment to tackling the grand challenge of improving health and wellbeing for all society.

“This funding announcement allows our researchers to deliver on our health priority and to potentially improve the quality of life of those undergoing cancer treatment,” Professor Middelberg said.