Extended Use of Cannabidiol for the Prevention of Graft-versus-host-disease

Extended Use of Cannabidiol for the Prevention of Graft-versus-host Disease After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic ingredient of Cannabis sativa possesses potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. In a recent prospective phase II study (NCT01385124) 48 consecutive adult patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation were given CBD 300 mg/day starting 7 days before transplantation until day 30, on top of standard GVHD prophylaxis consisting of cyclosporine and a short course of methotrexate. There were no grade 3-4 toxicities attributed to CBD. None of the patients developed acute GVHD while consuming CBD. With a median follow-up of 16 months, the cumulative incidence rates of grade 2-4 and grade 3-4 acute GVHD by day 100 were 12.1% and 5%, respectively. Compared to 101 historical control subjects given standard GVHD prophylaxis, the hazard ratio of developing grade 2-4 acute GVHD among subjects treated with CBD plus standard GVHD prophylaxis was 0.3 (p=0.0002). Among patients surviving more than 100 days, the cumulative incidence of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD at 12 and 18 months were 20% and 33%, respectively. The aim of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of extended use of CBD until day 100 in the prevention of acute and chronic GVHD.

Patients undergoing an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation will be given standard GVHD prophylaxis comprising cyclosporine and a short course of methotrexate plus CBD 150 mg BID starting 7 days before transplantation until day 100.

Patients will receive standard GVHD prophylaxis consisting of cyclosporine A twice daily starting on day -1 with target trough levels of 200-400 ng/mL and a short course of methotrexate (15 mg/ m2 on day 1 and 10 mg/ m2 on days days 3 and 6). Patients transplanted from unrelated donors will receive ATG Fresenius at a low dose of 5 mg/kg on days -3 to -1. Patients will be given oral CBD 150 mg BID starting 7 days before transplantation until day 100.

Inclusion Criteria: Acute leukemia in complete remission Myeloablative conditioning Matched or one antigen or allele mismatched sibling or unrelated donor Exclusion Criteria: History of psychosis Bronchial asthma