Patients forced to import medical cannabis
Leading cancer professor on trial suggesting banned drug may keep patients alive longer
Aleading cancer specialist whose patients took part in a clinical trial for a cannabis-based drug believes the results are “encouraging.”
Professor Anthony Chalmers, head of clinical oncology at Glasgow University, said the results revealing a cannabis drug called Sativex may prolong a patient’s life should be followed by more extensive research.
His comment came as some patients with brain tumours illegally import medical cannabis to treat tumours previously labelled incurable.
The legality of medical cannabis is under review by the Home Office after the mother of a severely epileptic boy was stopped at Heathrow while returning from Canada with a supply.
Professor Chalmers’ patients were part of an international drug study showing 83% of patients were alive a year later compared with 53% of those who did not get the cannabis drug.
The highly aggressive tumours, glioblastomas, normally leave most patients with a life expectancy of just 12 to 18 months.
Professor Ch al mers said: “The study was small and looked at 21 patients.
“It was a small number, but encouraging enough for more research to look a larger one with more patients.
“We would hope to take part in future trials with Sativex.”
If he was faced with the same dilemma as his patients, Professor Chalmers admitted he would give serious thought to taking cannabis produced under strict laboratory conditions.
“I would consider it if standard treatment had failed.”
Some of his patients have turned to importing cannabis oil illegally after chemo and or radiotherapy failed to make any impact on their brain tumours.
They include Caroline Burns, 34, from Cumbernauld, whose tumour shrunk by 26%.
She is alive three years after being given three months to live. Her family import illegal cannabis from Canada.
Professor Chalmers calls her “the best result among glioma patients”.
But medical trials have to look at large numbers of patients to glean good evidence on what works.
Professor Chalmers draws a distinction between street cannabis and medical cannabis imported from reputable laboratories.
“Street cannabis contains dangerous chemicals, in the way tobacco does,” he said.
“Cannabis produced in reputable laboratories is different.”
Professor Chalmers comments were supported by neurology professor, John Paul Leach, who has treated epilepsy patients for more than 25 years in Glasgow hospitals. He said: “I’m asked by parents of children where they can get cannabis preparations but have to warn them that online drug sources can be expensive and dangerous.
“Supplies may vary hugely in their content. Pharmaceutical preparations of cannabis are much more tightly prepared and consistent because of the care taken in making highly purified products in controlled labs.
“While some patients may be taking cannabis preparations without our knowledge, I would urge them to be honest with doctors as cannabis derivatives may interact badly with prescribed drugs.”
He said some trials had shown improvement in some patients but larger studies are needed to provide more evidence in other types of epilepsy.
Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, announced a review into medical cannabis use last Monday.
It came after teenager Billy Caldwell was hospitalised because of his epileptic fits after customs officers seized cannabis oil from his mother, Charlotte, as she returned from Canada.
It was returned after the Home Secretary intervened. He is also aware of the case the case of Caroline, from Cumbernauld, whose family are risking risk prosecution to save her.
Her MP, Stuart McDonald, said: “I have told Sajid Javid the desperate measures Caroline and her family have taken. Desperately- ill people don’t have months to wait for an inquiry.
“Good people can’t be asked to play cat and mouse with the law to save their lives.”