CBD as a calming agent for Scan-Related anxiety in advanced breast cancer?
NCT ID NCT04482244
First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a single oral dose of cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce the anxiety people with advanced breast cancer feel before undergoing CT or PET scans. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either CBD or a placebo, and their anxiety levels are measured before and after the dose. The trial also tracks side effects and how acceptable the treatment is to patients.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cannabidiol (CBD), taken as a liquid by mouth
- What this could lead to
- If effective, a single dose of CBD could offer a quick, non-drug option to calm anxiety before medical scans in people with advanced cancer.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial, and CBD may not outperform a placebo. Side effects are possible, and results may not apply to all cancer patients.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2022
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2027
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- 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 Hide 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: * Diagnosis of Stage IV or metastatic breast cancer * Age ≥18 years. * ECOG performance status ≤2 (Karnofsky ≥60%). * Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function at baseline as defined below: * total bilirubin \>2 times institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤3 × institutional ULN * Baseline anxiety as measured by GAD-7 ≥5 * At least mild anxiety typically experienced prior to oncologic scans (as measured by a prescreen survey item) * Computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) to assess tumor burden scheduled for within 48 hours of study drug administration * No cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiol use within 24-hours of study drug administration. * No benzodiazepine consumption within 8 hours of study drug administration (e.g.,nighttime benzodiazepine use permissible) * No driving for 12 hours following study drug administration. * English proficiency * The effects of cannabidiol (Epidiolex) on the developing human fetus are unknown. For this reason and because cannabis is known to be teratogenic, women of child-bearing potential must test as nonpregnant prior to entering the study. The study team will encourage women of child-bearing age and men to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while she or her partner is participating in this study, she should inform her treating physician immediately. Men treated or enrolled on this protocol must also agree to use adequate contraception prior to the study, for the duration of study participation, and for 1 week after cannabidiol (Epidiolex) consumption. Women either age \> 54 years or documented to be in menopause or status post hysterectomy will not be required to obtain bHCG. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Exclusion Criteria: * History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to cannabidiol (Epidiolex) or placebo (which contains sesame, corn and gluten) * History of current clobazam or valproic acid use * Current uncontrolled illness, for instance sepsis, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia * Current use of antiretroviral therapy * Participants with psychiatric illness or social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements * Current hepatocellular carcinoma, or documented history of difficult to control diabetes -- Active participation in a clinical drug trial
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Advanced breast cancer are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can video games calm anxious teens?
- Can a group program teach teens to cope before therapy starts?
- Could a Patient's playlist take the sting out of nerve testing?
- Three spanish group sessions put a neuroscience twist on anxiety therapy
- Can a rewired EMDR therapy ease the mental toll of migration?
- Can yoga calm anxious minds and sharpen focus?