Anti-tumoural effects of cannabinoid combinations

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a combination of cannabinoids, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of cancer. In particular the cancer to be treated is a brain tumour, more particularly a glioma, more particularly still a glioblastoma multifonne (GBM).

1 . Use of a combination of cannabinoids in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of cancer. 
     
     
         2 . Use as claimed in  claim 1 , which comprises at least tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). 
     
     
         3 . Use as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the THC and CBD are in a ratio of from between 20:1 to 1:20 (THC:CBD). 
     
     
         4 . Use as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the THC and CBD are in a ratio of approximately 1:1. 
     
     
         5 . Use as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cannabinoid content is in the range of between 5 and 100 mg of the total cannabinoids present. 
     
     
         6 . Use as claimed in any  claim 1 , where each cannabinoid is used at a level which would be considered sub-optimal if being used alone. 
     
     
         7 . Use as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cancer to be treated is a brain tumour. 
     
     
         8 . Use as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the brain tumour is a glioma tumour. 
     
     
         9 . Use as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the brain tumour is a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). 
     
     
         10 . Use as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cannabinoids are present as plant extracts, as pure compounds, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         11 . Use as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plant extract is in the form of a botanical drug substance. 
     
     
         12 . Use as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more cannabinoids are administered separately, sequentially, or simultaneously to one another. 
     
     
         13 . A method for preparing a botanical drug substance, wherein the botanical drug substance comprises THC and CBD, the method comprising:
 extracting THC and CBD from a cannabis plant to obtain a primary extract; and   purifying the primary extract by supercritical or subcritical extraction, vaporization and chromatography to obtain the botanical drug substance.