ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Those who suffer from
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting may find relief from a
marijuana patch being developed at the Albany College of Pharmacy. The
patch could also help those suffering from chronic pain and the AIDS
virus.
Audra Stinchcomb was awarded a $361,000 three-year grant Friday by
the American Cancer Society to study whether cannabinoids, the active
ingredients in marijuana, can be absorbed effectively through the skin.
Stinchcomb is an assistant professor who specializes in transdermal
delivery or the study of transmitting drugs through the skin. She said
transdermal delivery can be tricky because the skin is a good barrier.
Otherwise, she said, every capsule could have a patch.
Patches are currently used as painkillers, seasickness medication, to
quit smoking (nicotine) and to treat menopause (estrogen).
The researchers will use leftover human skin from "tummy tuck"
operations to see if and at what rate the active ingredients in
marijuana reach the bloodstream through the skin.
"It could take a decade before a marijuana patch would be available,"
said Stinchcomb.
"If the initial tests prove successful, animal tests and later human
tests would have to be completed."
Smoking marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy has met
with much controversy. Its use is currently banned by the federal
government, although seven states have allowed its medical use.
President Bill Clinton's drug czar, General Barry R. McCaffrey, the
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, testified
before a House Judiciary Committee 1997 and said:
"Allowing the medical use of smoked marijuana would likely increase
the
availability of marijuana, thereby increasing the risks of widespread
drug use. As drugs become more available, abuse and addiction rise. By
allowing marijuana to be legally grown, and used, medical marijuana
initiatives are likely to increase the amount of marijuana that is
available on our streets and in our schools for illegal use."
In addition to the "high" that some cancer patients and those
suffering from chronic pain may object to, smoking marijuana can
adversely effect the lungs, the heart and the immune system. A patch,
it is believed, would avoid this.
The patch could be legal and give a continuous, steady dose over a
period of days.
"Smoking (marijuana) can provide a high immediate dose and make some
patients high," said Stinchcomb.
"However, a marijuana patch could work better than a pill because
people suffering from the effects of chemotherapy have trouble keeping
pills down."
The Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences,
in a 1999 report assessed the scientific knowledge of health effects
and
possible medical uses of marijuana.
The IOM project confirmed that marijuana alleviated some of the
adverse
symptoms of chemotherapy and the loss of appetite or desire to eat,
common in cancer and AIDS patients.
The report was funded by the White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy.
The grant for the marijuana patch is the first the American Cancer
Society has awarded for marijuana research.
"Some people may not approve," said Don Distasio, of the American
Cancer Society, "but we are going to stick to our guns because we see
this as an issue of helping patients suffering from unnecessary pain."
