'Dexanabinol' may Treat Brain Cancer

In a US cancer centre, researchers are evaluating the safety and tolerability of a synthetic cannabinoid called dexanabinol (ETS2101).

Delivered as a weekly intravenous infusion, the drug is being tested in patients with all forms of brain cancer, both primary and metastatic.

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An experimental treatment is being seen as a possible way of treating a number of central nervous system diseases including brain cancer and neurological complications of HIV.

"In this Phase I study, we are examining the safety of multiple doses of dexanabinol, extent of penetration into the brain, and suitability for future trials," Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, principal investigator, and director of neuro-oncology, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, said.

"What we hope to determine is the safe and optimal dose of drug in the brain," Kesari said.

Dexanabinol is a cannabinoid derivative that causes no psychotropic effects.

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It was tested previously as a neuroprotective in patients with traumatic brain injury.

During these trials the drug was found to cross the blood-brain barrier.

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More recently, researchers at e-Therapeutics plc, who are supporting the current trial, showed that dexanabinol kills cultured cancer cells derived from many tumor types.

Additional research in Kesari's lab demonstrated the drug's anti-cancer effects in patient-derived brain cancer cell lines.

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Source-ANI

'dexanabinol' may Treat Brain Cancer

In a US cancer centre, researchers are evaluating the safety and tolerability of a synthetic cannabinoid called dexanabinol (ETS2101).