Could cannabis ease cancer symptoms in kids? new trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT05754840

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Manitoba Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Canadian study is testing whether cannabinoid oils (CBD and THC) can safely help manage symptoms like pain in children aged 4-17 with relapsed or refractory cancer. The trial will enroll 60 kids across three hospitals, giving them different ratios of CBD to THC oils to see which is best tolerated. The goal is to find a safe way to improve quality of life during cancer treatment.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: cannabinoid oils (CBD and THC combinations)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a safe way to manage pain and other symptoms in children with cancer, improving their quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply to all children. Side effects from cannabinoids are possible, and the study focuses on tolerability, not yet on proven effectiveness.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 1/2

Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.

Participants

About 60 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Jul 2025

Expected to finish

Dec 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

4 to 18 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ages 4-17 years old at the time of enrollment 2. Diagnosed with relapsed or refractory solid or hematologic malignancy including brain tumours 3. Currently receiving active cancer treatment or supportive and palliative care 4. Estimated survival of at least 4 months at the time of enrollment Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of cardiovascular disease, severe hepatic or renal impairment defined by alanine transaminase (ALT)/ aspartate aminotransferase (AST) more than 5x upper limit of normal (ULN), creatinine more than 5x ULN or glomerular filtration rate (GFR less than) \<60 mL/min/1.73 m273m2, unstable/unmanaged arrhythmias, uncontrolled hypertension with blood pressure above 99th centile for age or history of myocardial infarction 2. Nabilone or other cannabis-based products use (including for recreational purposes) within the past 2 weeks or planned nabilone use for the duration of their enrollment in the trial. Current use/continued use of recreational cannabis, or not willing to abstain from recreational cannabis use during the trial 3. Anyone who is pregnant or breast/chest-feeding throughout the duration of the study or has the intention to become pregnant within 3 months of study completion 4. Participation in other clinical trials that prohibit the concurrent use of cannabis 5. Children with a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, substance use disorder or allergy to cannabinoids or cannabis 6. Unwilling or unable to use effective form of contraception and refrain from driving motorized vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats, etc.) throughout the study period 7. Anyone who is currently receiving cell therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer cannabis dependence childhood malignant neoplasm neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Cancer Childhood cancer

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could cannabis ease cancer symptoms in kids? new trial aims to find out

What the study statuses mean