Cannabinoids: Current and Future Options to Treat Chronic and Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

The document from 2019 reviews the potential of cannabinoids as a treatment for chronic and chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CIPN). It highlights that current treatments for CIPN are often ineffective, with about 70% of patients not finding relief. Cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and synthetic variants, have shown promise in preclinical studies for alleviating symptoms of CIPN by inhibiting pro-inflammatory signaling and modulating ion channels. Clinical studies have provided mixed results, with some evidence of analgesic effects in chronic neuropathic pain, but larger-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings. The review also discusses the interaction between cannabinoid and opioid receptors, suggesting the potential for cannabinoids to serve as opioid-sparing therapies. It emphasizes the need for caution due to possible pharmacokinetic interactions with other medications and the complexity of the placebo effect in cannabinoid research. Despite the emerging clinical evidence, the document concludes that further research is necessary to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical findings and to fully understand the therapeutic potential and safety of cannabinoids for neuropathic pain.