Clinical response to Nabiximols correlates with the down-regulation of immune pathways in Multiple Sclerosis.

Posted on March 13, 2018 by David

European Journal of Neurology

“Nabiximols (Sativex^® ) is a cannabinoid-based compound used for the treatment of moderate to severe spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS).

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of the administration of Nabiximols on blood transcriptome profile of MS patients and to interpret it in the context of pathways and networks.

Our findings support the immunomodulatory activity of cannabinoids in MS patients. Further studies in more specific cell types are needed to refine these results.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29528549

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ene.13623/abstract

“Cannabinoid compounds suppress immune function, and while this could compromise one’s ability to fight infections, immune suppression is the desired effect for therapies for autoimmune diseases.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29512125

“Cannabinoids have emerged as powerful drug candidates for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases due to their immunosuppressive properties.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2923447/

Significant Tic Reduction in An Otherwise Treatment-Resistant Patient with Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome Following Treatment with Nabiximols.

Posted on April 27, 2017 by David

“Early anecdotal reports and preliminary studies suggested that cannabinoid-based medicines such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are effective in the treatment of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS).

We report a single case study of a patient with otherwise treatment-resistant TS successfully treated with nabiximols.

Our results provide further evidence that treatment with nabiximols may be effective in the treatment of patients with TS.

Given the positive response exhibited by the patient highlighted in this report, further investigation of the effects of nabiximols is proposed on a larger group of patients in a clinical trial setting.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28445405

The therapeutic use of cannabinoids: Forensic aspects.

Posted on April 6, 2016 by David

“Since 2013 in the Italian market has been introduced the Nabiximols, a drug containing two of the main active cannabinoids: Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). This drug has been approved in Italy in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is an oral spray formulation and each puff of 100μl contains 2.7mg of Δ⁹-THC and 2.5mg of CBD.

In the present study we analyzed urine and blood samples collected from a group of 20 patients treated with Nabiximols in order to evaluate: blood Δ⁹-THC concentrations in relation to the dose administered and the duration of treatment and the potentiality of this medication to be used for drug habit.

The study was conducted on a sample group of patients affected by MS, of both sexes, age: 49-61 years, treated with Nabiximols for short (28 days) or long-term.

The results of our study allow affirming that it is unlikely to use this medication for drug habit or to sale it in the black market because of the low blood concentrations available and of its high costs.

These statements were confirmed by: (a) the low Δ⁹-THC concentrations in the pharmaceutical formulation; (b) the low blood concentrations produced by Nabiximols administration, more than 10 times smaller than the blood concentrations known to produce psychotropic effects; (c) the presence of CBD (Δ⁹-THC natural antagonist); (d) the route of administration (inhaled, not smoked).”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27038587

Medicinal cannabis.

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“A number of therapeutic uses of cannabis and its derivatives have been postulated from preclinical investigations.

Possible clinical indications include spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis, cancer-associated nausea and vomiting, cancer pain and HIV neuropathy.

Controversies lie in how to produce, supply and administer cannabinoid products.

Introduction of cannabinoids therapeutically should be supported by a regulatory and educational framework that minimises the risk of harm to patients and the community.

The Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2014 is under consideration in Australia to address this.

Nabiximols is the only cannabinoid on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods at present, although cannabidiol has been recommended for inclusion in Schedule 4.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26843715

“There is some evidence of therapeutic benefit for cannabis products in defined patient populations.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4674028/

Clinical Use of Cannabinoids for Symptom Control in Multiple Sclerosis.

Posted on August 21, 2015 by David

“The endocannabinoid system was discovered in 1988 but has received little attention for its potential therapeutic possibilities.

That has started to change, and since 2000, a significant number of clinical trials of cannabinoids, principally for the control of spasticity in multiple sclerosis, have been undertaken. These studies have been difficult because of the nature of the disease and have involved patients for whom other therapies have failed or proved inadequate.

This paper outlines the background to the use of cannabinoids available and discusses the principles of practice associated with their safe use.

The focus has been on nabiximols, being the most studied and the only cannabinoid that has been both adequately researched for use in multiple sclerosis and granted a license by the regulators. However, what has emerged is that the effect for many patients can be much wider than just control of spasticity.

Within and outside of neurology there seems to be an expanding range of possibilities for the therapeutic use of cannabinoids.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26289248

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

[There is evidence for the use of cannabinoids for symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis.]

Posted on October 29, 2014 by David

“We identified 16 randomized placebo-controlled trials investigating cannabinoids as symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS).

There is evidence that nabiximols (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray may reduce subjective symptoms of spasticity and that dronabinol (THC) is effective against neuropathic pain in patients with MS…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25350886

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/