Randomized phase 2 study of cannabidiol for scan-related anxiety in women with advanced breast cancer

Early evidence from studies outside of oncology has suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) may have anxiolytic effects without neuropsychiatric risks. A phase 2, double-masked, randomized trial at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, MA) evaluated CBD for scan-related anxiety in women with advanced breast cancer (aBC) and clinical anxiety. Fifty patients were randomized 1:1 to receive oral CBD, 400 mg, or placebo within 48 hours before a scan assessing tumor burden. The between-arm comparison of anxiety change before and after study drug ingestion was negative. The secondary outcome directly comparing anxiety between arms 2 to 4 hours after study drug ingestion demonstrated significantly lower Visual Analog Mood Scale afraid T-scores for participants who received CBD compared to those receiving placebo. The authors conclude that among aBC patients, CBD may have an anxiolytic effect warranting further investigation (visual abstract).