Avextra Pharma’s cannabis-based medicine, Avextra 10/10 (a 1:1 THC/CBD extract), demonstrated superior efficacy and tolerability in treating chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) in a retrospective study called OCEAN-R. The study, presented at the German Pain Association’s annual congress, compared Avextra 10/10 to standard non-cannabis-based analgesic medications. The results suggest Avextra 10/10 significantly reduced pain intensity and improved quality of life, including sleep, with fewer adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation.
This positive data is crucial for cancer patients who experience CINP, a debilitating side effect of chemotherapy often resistant to conventional treatments. Current options offer limited relief for a significant portion of these patients, leaving a substantial unmet medical need. Avextra 10/10’s apparent success in reducing pain and improving quality of life offers new hope for these patients and could drastically alter their treatment experience. This development also highlights the potential of cannabis-based medicines to address complex pain conditions where traditional therapies fall short.
The OCEAN-R study involved a retrospective analysis of 442 patients from the Database PraxisRegister Schmerz. Patients treated with Avextra 10/10 were compared to those receiving other pain medications such as opioids, antidepressants, and antiepileptics. The study measured clinically relevant improvements in pain intensity, quality of life metrics, and treatment tolerability over 12 weeks. Notably, the discontinuation rate due to adverse events was significantly lower in the Avextra 10/10 group (9.5%) compared to the group receiving non-cannabis-based treatments.
This success positions Avextra 10/10 as a potentially game-changing treatment for CINP, offering a more effective and tolerable option for patients. This positive data could lead to wider adoption of cannabis-based medicines for pain management and spur further research in this area. It could also significantly impact Avextra’s market position, establishing the company as a leader in developing and producing cannabis-based pharmaceuticals. The development and acceptance of effective CINP treatments can further improve cancer care and patient outcomes by addressing a critical unmet medical need.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
