T D Brisbois1, I H de Kock2, S M Watanabe2, M Mirhosseini2, D C Lamoureux2, M Chasen3, N MacDonald4, V E Baracos2, W V Wismer5. 1. Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science. 2. Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton. 3. Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa. 4. Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation Program, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. 5. Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science. Electronic address: wendy.wismer@ualberta.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A pilot study (NCT00316563) to determine if delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can improve taste and smell (chemosensory) perception as well as appetite, caloric intake, and quality of life (QOL) for cancer patients with chemosensory alterations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult advanced cancer patients, with poor appetite and chemosensory alterations, were recruited from two sites and randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive either THC (2.5 mg, Marinol(®); Solvay Pharma Inc., n = 24) or placebo oral capsules (n = 22) twice daily for 18 days. Twenty-one patients completed the trial. At baseline and posttreatment, patients completed a panel of patient-reported outcomes: Taste and Smell Survey, 3-day food record, appetite and macronutrient preference assessments, QOL questionnaire, and an interview. RESULTS:THC and placebo groups were comparable at baseline. Compared with placebo, THC-treated patients reported improved (P = 0.026) and enhanced (P < 0.001) chemosensory perception and food 'tasted better' (P = 0.04). Premeal appetite (P = 0.05) and proportion of calories consumed as protein increased compared with placebo (P = 0.008). THC-treated patients reported increased quality of sleep (P = 0.025) and relaxation (P = 0.045). QOL scores and total caloric intake were improved in both THC and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS:THC may be useful in the palliation of chemosensory alterations and to improve food enjoyment for cancer patients.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: A pilot study (NCT00316563) to determine if delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can improve taste and smell (chemosensory) perception as well as appetite, caloric intake, and quality of life (QOL) for cancerpatients with chemosensory alterations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult advanced cancerpatients, with poor appetite and chemosensory alterations, were recruited from two sites and randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive either THC (2.5 mg, Marinol(®); Solvay Pharma Inc., n = 24) or placebo oral capsules (n = 22) twice daily for 18 days. Twenty-one patients completed the trial. At baseline and posttreatment, patients completed a panel of patient-reported outcomes: Taste and Smell Survey, 3-day food record, appetite and macronutrient preference assessments, QOL questionnaire, and an interview. RESULTS:THC and placebo groups were comparable at baseline. Compared with placebo, THC-treated patients reported improved (P = 0.026) and enhanced (P < 0.001) chemosensory perception and food 'tasted better' (P = 0.04). Premeal appetite (P = 0.05) and proportion of calories consumed as protein increased compared with placebo (P = 0.008). THC-treated patients reported increased quality of sleep (P = 0.025) and relaxation (P = 0.045). QOL scores and total caloric intake were improved in both THC and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS:THC may be useful in the palliation of chemosensory alterations and to improve food enjoyment for cancerpatients.
Authors: Joel B Epstein; Safira Marques de Andrade E Silva; Geena L Epstein; Jorge Henrique Santos Leal; Andrei Barasch; Gregory Smutzer Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-03-29 Impact factor: 3.603
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