UK to Study Using Cannabis-Based Medicine to Treat Brain Tumors

The United Kingdom (U.K.) National Health Service (NHS) and Brain Tumour Charity are partnering on research to determine whether cannabis-based medicine Sativex paired with chemotherapy medication temozolomide can treat glioblastoma, a recurrent brain tumor, the Guardian reports. Once underway, it will be the first such study of its kind in the world.

Sativex is one of three cannabis-based medicines used in the NHS. It is currently given to patients with multiple sclerosis whose condition has not improved despite treatment.

Susan Short, a professor of clinical oncology and neuro-oncology at Leeds University and the lead investigator of the study, said the cannabis drug “may kill glioblastoma tumor cells and that it may be particularly effective when given with temozolomide chemotherapy.”