Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40705150›Full record

Trial reportSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

Medicinal cannabis for symptom control in advanced cancer: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of 1:1 tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.

Janet R Hardy, Ristan M Greer, Anita M Pelecanos, Georgie E Huggett, Alison M Kearney, Taylan H Gurgenci, Phillip D Good

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Cannabinoids and opioid consumption in cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Review
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  5. Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Janet R HardyMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health SEQ, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia. Janet.Hardy@mater.uq.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1127-9951
Ristan M GreerMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health SEQ, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1574-4729
Anita M PelecanosStatistics Unit, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0197-4504
Georgie E HuggettMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health SEQ, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.
Alison M KearneyDepartment of Palliative and Supportive Care Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3361-192X
Taylan H GurgenciMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health SEQ, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9695-9109
Phillip D GoodMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Aubigny Place, Mater Health SEQ, Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-0375

Funding

Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) APP1152232, APP2006191
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePatients with cancer commonly access cannabis hoping to relieve their symptoms. This study assessed whether a 1:1 10 mg/ml THC:CBD combination oil could improve total symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer over that provided by palliative care alone.

methodsParticipants were randomised to medicinal cannabis (MC) or placebo oil; dose escalated over 14 days according to tolerance and efficacy and continued to day 28. Symptoms assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were summated to give a total symptom distress score (TSDS). The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline in TSDS at day 14. Secondary outcomes included individual symptom scores, opioid use, participant-selected dose, QoL, psychological symptoms, global impression of change (GIC), and adverse effects.

resultsThe pre-planned sample size of 120 at day 14 was reached following the randomisation of 144 patients. Mean (SD) TSDS improved over time in both arms (- 6.30 (12.3) MC, - 6.98 (12.56) placebo, p = 0.76) to day 14 with no difference between arms. A statistically significant improvement in ESAS pain scores in the MC arm (mean (SD) - 1.42 (2.15) MC and - 0.46 (2.83) placebo, p = 0.04) was at the expense of greater psychomimetic toxicity. Improvement in general well-being was greater for the placebo. GIC and the pain component of QoL both favoured MC.

conclusionsPatients can be informed that a 1:1 THC:CBD combination cannabis oil was no better than palliative care alone in palliating symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. A small benefit in pain control was associated with greater toxicity.

trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12619000037101, 14/01/2019.

Indexed as

CannabidiolDronabinolMedical MarijuanaNeoplasmsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCancer PainDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPalliative CareQuality of LifeCannabidiolDronabinolMedical MarijuanaAdvanced cancerMedicinal cannabisPalliative careSymptom control

Identifiers

PMID40705150
PMCPMC12289739

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.