Cannabis spray could boost chemo for deadly brain tumors

NCT ID NCT05629702

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of Birmingham Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase II trial tests whether adding a cannabis-based mouth spray (nabiximols) to standard chemotherapy helps people with recurrent glioblastoma live longer. About 120 adults whose brain tumor has returned after initial treatment will receive either the cannabis spray or a placebo, alongside chemo. The study is double-blind, meaning neither patients nor doctors know who gets the real spray, to ensure fair results.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Nabiximols (cannabinoid spray, also known as Sativex) plus temozolomide chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new way to extend survival for people with recurrent glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer with very few options.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial with only 120 patients, so results may not be conclusive. Cannabinoids can cause side effects like dizziness or nausea, and the added benefit over standard chemo alone is unproven.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain cancer brain neoplasm cannabis dependence glioblastoma Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BRAIN TUMOR BRAIN TUMOR RECURRENT CANNABIS GLIOBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian
RECRUITING

Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN, United Kingdom
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
WITHDRAWN

Glasgow, G12 0YN, United Kingdom
Belfast City Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
WITHDRAWN

Belfast, BT9 7AB, United Kingdom
Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre, University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Bristol, BS2 8ED, United Kingdom
Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Hull, HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom
Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
RECRUITING

London, W6 8RF, United Kingdom
Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
City Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Nottingham, NG5 1PB, United Kingdom
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, CH63 4JY, United Kingdom
Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Glan Clwyd Hospital
WITHDRAWN

Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, LL18 5UJ, United Kingdom
Guy's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Maidstone, ME16 9QQ, United Kingdom
Mount Vernon Hospital, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2RN, United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Birmingham, B15 2TH, United Kingdom
Southampton General Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
WITHDRAWN

Southampton, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust
RECRUITING

London, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Leeds, LS9 7TF, United Kingdom
The Christie Hospital, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
RECRUITING

Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
Velindre Cancer Centre, Velindre University NHS Trust
RECRUITING

Cardiff, CF15 7QZ, United Kingdom
Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian
WITHDRAWN

Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom

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