FEEL-GOOD FACTOR IN TREATING MS WITH CANNABIS

Mixed Results From Three-Year Study Of Patients

Cannabis-based treatments for multiple sclerosis might benefit patients
despite the largest trial of such medicines failing to find objective
evidence of improvement, researchers said last night.

A three-year study involving more than 600 patients revealed no reduction
in muscle stiffness as measured by health professionals, yet most of those
with the progressive nervous disorder felt cannabis had improved some of
their symptoms.

Cannabis treatment did appear to cut slightly the time those who could walk
took to cover small distances and the relapse rate among those who had the
relapsing-remitting form of the disease, in which symptoms occur and then
clear up for a period.

In addition, more patients on active treatment reported changes for the
better relating to muscle stiffness, known as spasticity, pain and sleep
than those on dummy treatment although the extra attention given patients
on trials seems to have had an effect. Slightly more patients on the
cannabis extract reported benefits than those on THC, an active compound
found in cannabis.

The mixed results from the trial, the first independent study for any MS
treatment for nearly 20 years, published in the Lancet medical journal, are
unlikely to hinder the development of commercial drugs based on cannabis.

It involved giving patients capsules containing either cannabis extract,
THC or a dummy treatment, although all patients continued to receive their
normal medication for MS. John Zajicek, leader of the study funded by the
Medical Research Council, said: "given how a patient feels is an important
part of improving health, cannabis-based treatments may be of benefit."

The government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is
evaluating the safety, quality and effectiveness of a mouth spray being
developed by GW Pharmaceuticals.

Caroline Flint, drugs minister at the Home Office has promised the
government will move quickly to "ensure ready and early availability of the
drug as a prescribed medicine", once marketing approval is given.

Cannabis as a recreational drug is about to be downgraded from class B to
C, and a small proportion of MS patients, estimates vary between 1% and 4%
have risked arrest because they have believed it could relieve symptoms of
their crippling condition. The MRC trial did not involve smoking cannabis
because of it was considered unethical to expose patients to risks linked
to smoking.

The researchers conceded more identifiable improvements in muscle stiffness
might have been achieved through higher doses, although that would have
meant more side effects.

The trial involved patients at 33 British centres. Dr Zajicek, consultant
neurologist and assistant director of research at Plymouth Hospitals NHS
trust, said the results presented "an interesting picture" but more
research was needed using measure that "more adequately assess the effect
of symptoms in chronic disease."

Mike Donovan, chief executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said:
"Current methods of measurement do not always detect significant
benefits... On the evidence available, the society believes those who might
benefit should be able to have treatment prescribed on the NHS."

Chris Jones, chief executive of the MS Trust, said it was frustrating that
the results of the study were "somewhat equivocal", but it confirmed the
strong anecdotal evidence of some patients benefiting.