E-cigarette and Cannabis Use for Cancer Risk

Overseen By ASK RPCI

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Over 25, Pregnant, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how e-cigarette and cannabis use affects the levels of nicotine, cannabis, and other harmful substances in the blood and urine of young adults. It aims to understand the habits of individuals who use these products, either separately or together. The trial seeks young adults who have used e-cigarettes daily or cannabis frequently for the past six months. Participants should not have kidney disease and must agree to the study's terms. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to important research that could influence future health guidelines and policies.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team for clarification.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that using e-cigarettes links to signs that might suggest a cancer risk. However, the long-term risks remain unclear, and further studies are necessary. People who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes might face a higher risk of lung cancer than those who only smoke cigarettes.

For cannabis, the evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that smoking cannabis does not increase the risk of certain cancers, such as lung or head and neck cancer. However, heavy cannabis use has been linked to a higher death rate in colon cancer patients and a greater risk of oral cancer for those with cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Overall, more research is needed to understand the safety of using e-cigarettes and cannabis, especially together. Current studies suggest potential risks, but the findings remain unclear. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the potential cancer risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes and cannabis, a growing area of concern. Unlike traditional studies focusing solely on tobacco or cannabis use, this trial examines the combined effects of these substances, which many people use together. By assessing the engagement levels of e-cigarette and cannabis consumers, researchers hope to uncover nuanced insights into how these habits might influence cancer risk. This could lead to more tailored public health recommendations and interventions.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cancer risk?

This trial will compare different groups of consumers: those who use both e-cigarettes and cannabis, those who predominantly use e-cigarettes, and those who predominantly use cannabis. Research has shown that e-cigarette use is linked to bodily signs that may indicate a cancer risk. People who use both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes face a higher chance of developing lung cancer than those who only smoke regular cigarettes. Regarding cannabis, the evidence linking its use to cancer remains unclear. Some studies suggest a possible link between cannabis use and a higher risk of lung cancer, but these findings are not definitive. It's important to note that while cannabis might alleviate cancer symptoms, its effect on cancer risk continues to be studied. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Danielle Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

Roswell Park

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This study is for young adults aged 18-25 who predominantly use e-cigarettes or cannabis, or both. Participants must be free of kidney disease, able to understand the study's voluntary nature and consent in English. E-cigarette users should not have used other nicotine products frequently or cannabis in the past month; cannabis users should limit nicotine product use.

Inclusion Criteria

I haven't had kidney disease in the past year.

I can read and write in English.

I understand this study is voluntary and I'm willing to sign the consent form.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Up to 1 year

Study Session

Participants attend a study session to evaluate nicotine, cannabis, and toxicant exposure

1 hour

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the study session

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cannabis Engagement Assessment

Trial Overview The Co-Tox Study measures levels of nicotine, cannabis, and toxic substances found in blood and urine from e-cigarette and/or cannabis use among young adults. It also examines their usage behaviors. The effectiveness of recruitment methods and where participants complete the study are evaluated too.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: e-cigarette -cannabis coconsumers Experimental Treatment 4 Interventions

Consumers who use both e-cigarettes and cannabis .

Group II: E-cigarette consumers Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Predominant e-cigarette consumers

Group III: Cannabis consumers Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Predominant cannabis consumers

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

427

Recruited

40,500+

Citations

1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425761/

Cancer - The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids The evidence suggests that smoking cannabis does not increase the risk for certain cancers (i.e., lung, head and neck) in adults. There is modest evidence that ...

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1490621/full

Meta-analysis of medical cannabis outcomes and ... Patient-reported outcome measures indicate that 70%–90% of patients who used cannabis to directly treat cancer symptoms reported improvements, ...

3. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00223-8/fulltext

Cancer risk and legalisation of access to cannabis in the USA Our umbrella review of current global epidemiological evidence reveals that links between cannabis exposure and cancer risk are more suggestive than conclusive.

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2755855

Association Between Marijuana Use and Risk of Cancer The cross-sectional study reported association between marijuana use and an increased risk of lung cancer; however, it was limited by unclear ...

5. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.34793

Cannabis use among cancer survivors in 22 states: Results ... Cannabis use was lower among cancer survivors compared to individuals with no history of cancer (7.57% vs. 10.83%). However, a higher ...

6. today.ucsd.edu today.ucsd.edu/story/high-cannabis-use-linked-to-increased-mortality-in-colon-cancer-patients

High Cannabis Use Linked to Increased Mortality in Colon ... Patients with a history of cannabis use disorder (CUD) had a substantially higher five-year mortality rate (55.88 %) compared to patients ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002244

Cannabis use disorder and five-year risk of oral cancer in a ... CUD was linked to a more than threefold increase in oral cancer risk over five years. These findings highlight the need to assess long-term oncologic risks of ...