In a groundbreaking development, scientists have unveiled a cannabis-derived medication that could potentially aid cancer patients in gaining body weight by tapping into the well-known effect of “the munchies.” Approximately 80% of individuals with advanced cancer are afflicted by cachexia, a severe wasting syndrome characterized by muscle mass depletion. Although current treatments include appetite enhancers, their effectiveness can be limited.

Artelo Biosciences, a British biotechnology firm, has pioneered an experimental drug designed to stimulate appetite and enhance taste perception, without the psychoactive effects typically associated with cannabis. This innovative drug works by targeting cannabinoid receptors, while its molecular structure prevents it from significantly affecting the brain, ensuring patients do not experience a high.

In tablet form, this drug has demonstrated promising outcomes in clinical trials. According to the company, cancer patients who received the drug experienced an average weight gain of 6.4% over a 12-week period. In contrast, those who were given a placebo experienced a 5.4% weight loss.

The study incorporated the use of wearable tracking devices to monitor patients’ physical activity. Results indicated that those taking the medication exhibited increased movement, whereas the placebo group showed a decline in activity levels. Interestingly, patients did not report a noticeable increase in hunger.

Professor Barry Laird, a leading palliative care expert at the University of Oslo in Canada, spearheaded the study. He shared anecdotes of patients who saw significant improvements in quality of life, stating, “We had one patient who was able to go and play a round of golf again. Another managed a weekend holiday.”

Study leader Professor Barry Laird, an expert in palliative care at the University of Oslo in Canada, said: “We had one patient who was able to go and play a round of golf again. Another managed a weekend holiday.”

Laird presented the results at a cachexia conference in Turin last month.

He added: “There’s a huge degree of stress associated with cancer weight loss because eating is a core part of human existence, and when a person can’t sit at the dinner table and interact with family over food, that causes distress, not only for the patient, but for the carers and their family as well.

“So patients just being able to go back to the dinner table again and enjoy a meal with their loved ones is extremely impactful. It’s a quality of life issue.”

The 25 patients in the trial had a range of advanced cancers. All those given the drug either stopped losing weight or gained some.

The company now wants to take the drug to larger phase three trials. Andy Yates, Artelo’s chief scientific officer, said the drug could be available as early as 2028 if those trials are successful.

He added: “We are confident we will be able to show that this drug can save treatment costs as well as helping improve the quality of life of patients, their families and their carers.”