Cannabinoid interventions for improving cachexia outcomes in cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Lucile Simon, Division Of Medicine, University College London, London Uk, Christine Baldwin, Department Of Nutritional Sciences, King'S College London, Anastasia Z. Kalea, Institute Of Cardiovascular Sciences, Adrian Slee
Low‐quality evidence from both RCTs and NRSIs shows no significant benefits of cannabinoids for weight gain, appetite stimulation, and better quality of life, three important outcomes of cachexia. Non‐randomized studies of interventions (NRSIs) on the effect of cannabinoids on outcomes of CAC are available. All RCTs and NRSIs were included (refer to Quality of studies and risk of bias ). The remaining six studies were NRSI (n = 157) assessing the effects of cannabis or cannabinoid treatment on appetite and weight in cancer patients. Four studies were RCTs (n = 647) assessing the effect of cannabinoids on at least one outcome (appetite, weight, or QoL) in advanced cancer patients and two 41 , 43 were pilot studies.