title: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may palliate altered chemosensory perception in cancer patients: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A pilot study (NCT00316563) to determine if delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can improve taste and smell (chemosensory) perception as well as appetite, caloric intake, and quality of life (QOL) for cancer patients with chemosensory alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult advanced cancer patients, with poor appetite and chemosensory alterations, were recruited from two sites and randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive either THC (2.5 mg, Marinol(®); Solvay Pharma Inc., n = 24) or placebo oral capsules (n = 22) twice daily for 18 days. Twenty-one patients completed the trial. At baseline and posttreatment, patients completed a panel of patient-reported outcomes: Taste and Smell Survey, 3-day food record, appetite and macronutrient preference assessments, QOL questionnaire, and an interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  THC and placebo groups were comparable at baseline. Compared with placebo, THC-treated patients reported improved (P = 0.026) and enhanced (P < 0.001) chemosensory perception and food 'tasted better' (P = 0.04). Premeal appetite (P = 0.05) and proportion of calories consumed as protein increased compared with placebo (P = 0.008). THC-treated patients reported increased quality of sleep (P = 0.025) and relaxation (P = 0.045). QOL scores and total caloric intake were improved in both THC and placebo groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  THC may be useful in the palliation of chemosensory alterations and to improve food enjoyment for cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Brisbois
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: de Kock
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirhosseini
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lamoureux
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chasen
authors.affiliation: Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation Program, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Baracos
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science. Electronic address: wendy.wismer@ualberta.ca.
authors.forename: W V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Wismer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D011788:Quality of Life; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D013759:Dronabinol