delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in clinical oncology
D. S. Poster, J. S. Penta, S. Bruno and J. S. Macdonald
After anecdotal reports of marijuana's providing antiemetic activity in
cancer chemotherapy patients refractory to standard agents, orally
administered delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was formally studied by a
number of investigators. In six of seven well-controlled studies, orally
administered THC was a superior antiemetic agent compared with control
agents. The THC toxic effects are notable but manageable. Patients rarely
require hospitalization after the development of THC-induced dysphorias.
However, serious toxic effects are uncommon and the most frequently noted
effects are somnolence, conjunctivitis, and tachycardias. Because certain
subgroups of patients are more prone to have toxicities develop, careful
selection of the candidates to receive this agent is mandatory. Overall,
the benefits of orally administered THC use represent a major advance in
antiemetic therapy.
