UK company identifies potential new cannabinoid-based cancer treatment

Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Plc (OCTP), which has been developing cannabinoid-based drugs since 2017, announced this week that it is expanding its research and development activities to focus on a new a drug that may treat cancer.

The company has identified a potential «first-in-class» immunotherapy agent that could be taken in tablet form to treat solid tumors as an alternative to existing therapies.

The new drug candidate was identified from the OCTP library, which contains nearly 500 derivatives of cannabinoids, following the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Canopy Growth.

During a meeting with investors on Wednesday, July 19, OCTP’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Valentino Parravicini, explained that, based on an analysis of the initial data, the team believes the compound shows «significant potential» in clinical trials in vitro and in vivo.

Cancer Treatment with Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. Types of immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and vaccines, as well as targeted therapies and biologic therapies.

They all work in different ways to help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, and then to prevent or delay the recurrence of cancer.

Immunotherapy is not always suitable for patients and is currently approved only for the treatment of certain advanced cancers. Like many forms of cancer treatment, it can also cause side effects, including fatigue and inflammatory and autoimmune complications, which can affect any part of the body.

Dr. Parravicini explained that the new compound works through a mechanism of action that removes the «handbrake» that cancer imposes on the patient’s immune system, thereby triggering the patient’s own immune cells to attack the cancer.

«Observations show that tumor growth is, in some cases, associated with increased levels of’endocannabinoids, », both in the tumor and in the blood," he said.

«In this case, some of these endocannabinoids actually have a detrimental effect on tumor immunotherapy. The tumor should be killed by the immune system, but it finds a way to evade it. In this case, we say that the tumor microenvironment is «cold,» which means the tumor isn’t detected by the immune system. Immunosuppressive cells actually block the immune system—or put the brakes on it, if you will—and the tumor grows and forms metastases.»

He continues: «Our idea is to change that by using our derivative to release that handbrake. We increase inflammation so that the tumor microenvironment becomes hot and the patient’s cytotoxic cells can actively kill the tumor.»

A less expensive and more accessible treatment option?

Current treatments target this mechanism of action using antibodies or cell therapies, but these can be expensive and difficult to access, as they generally require patients to travel to centers that specialize in cancer treatment.

The OCTP believes that the new drug could be taken at home in tablet form, which would potentially make it less expensive for public and private healthcare providers and more convenient for patients.

Attention will now turn to further in vitro and in vivo studies, followed by a pharmacological safety assessment; the final selection of the candidate is expected to take place in 2024.

Clarissa Sowemimo-Coker, Executive Director, commented: «There is an urgent need for new cancer drugs. The OCTP team has discovered a potential first-line treatment alternative to existing therapies and their side effects, which could serve as a viable alternative to expensive biologics. Although we are still in the early stages, this is exciting news for the company.»

«While the potential of the cannabinoid-based medications As the public increasingly recognizes that this approach offers a less harmful and more cost-effective way to treat a range of conditions, OCTP is at the forefront of research and development, and we are extremely excited to have identified a potential candidate that could have a significant impact on the lives of many people. »

Ms. Sowemimo-Coker added, «We are innovative specialists in the global pain and oncology markets, and we will continue to develop new opportunities that will ultimately benefit people suffering from a range of debilitating, life-altering conditions.» ”

Addressing Unmet Needs in Neuropathic Pain

OCTP is already making significant progress in the development of new cannabinoid-based drugs to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

The company has received approval from the MHRA, the UK’s equivalent of the ANSM, for the first Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of its patented cannabinoid-based compound, OCT461201, to treat CIPN, with the first dose scheduled to be administered to participants as soon as possible.

It has also completed safety and toxicology studies, as well as studies on a metered-dose inhaler designed to deliver a combination of synthetic cannabinoids, dronabinol (THC), and CBD to patients with TN.

TRigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition that is difficult to treat and causes sudden, excruciating nerve pain, usually on one side of the face.

«This is another area where there is a significant unmet medical need,» said Dr. Tim Corn, chief medical officer of the OCTP.

«There is only one drug approved for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, but it is an anticonvulsant with life-threatening side effects.»

He continues: «This is a very intense pain. It can be acute, chronic, and recurrent. A wide range of other medications are used to relieve this condition, including gabapentinoid antidepressants, Botox, and sometimes even surgery. The prospect of a treatment that can be administered very quickly using an inhaler in an acute situation—and on a chronic basis for patients suffering from this disease—is truly very exciting.».

Several clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Combined THC/CBD therapy for neuropathic pain. The inhalation device is designed to deliver a consistent, measured dose with improved absorption and bioavailability for faster pain relief.

OCTP has begun the process of applying for regulatory approval to conduct Phase 1 trials in Australia.