CancerC4CNCT06037681
Cannabis Use and Outcomes in Black and White Patients With Cancer
An observational study of Cancer, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 3 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of the observational study is to learn how black and white patients with solid tumor cancer use cannabis, opioids and tobacco. The investigators are using momentary ecological assessment through a smart phone app and surveys to assess patient-reported pain and other symptoms as to inform clinical practice and… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cancer
- How many people
- 600 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Mar 2023to 30 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 99 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Black and White patients from Local cancer centers of the Buffalo, Univsity of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson Univeristy areas.
Who may be able to join
- 21 years or older
- Black or white race
- Solid tumor cancer within 3 years of enrollment
- Cannabis use of at least once a week or non cannabis use for 3 months
- experience pain but spend less than 50% in bed or chair
- Prescribed or take opioid for at least 30 days for pain
- Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 12 months
- English speaking
Who cannot join
- Lymphoma, leukemia, and melanoma
- CBD only use
- Synthetic cannabis use in past 3 months = Prescribed Medically-prescribed synthetic cannabis (e.g., dronabinol [Marinol, Syndros], Epidiolex)
- race other than Black or White
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country.
United States3 sites
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York, 14214
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19144
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19176
About this study
The goal of the observational study is to learn how black and white patients with solid tumor cancer use cannabis, opioids and tobacco. The investigators are using momentary ecological assessment through a smart phone app and surveys to assess patient-reported pain and other symptoms as to inform clinical practice and guidelines for underrepresented populations.
Read the detailed description
Using an observational design with momentary ecological assessment on a smartphone app (mEMA), The investigators propose a strong prospective cohort design with repeated-measures for 12 months regarding patients with cancer and their pain, use of opioids and cannabis. The design was selected to allow for real-time, real-world assessments, while minimizing risks due to attrition and burden to the participants. The staff will enroll 100 cannabis users (50 African American, 50 White) and 100 cannabis non-users (50 African American, 50 White) diagnosed with cancer in the last 3 years and prescribed opioids from each of the three sites, University of Pennsylvania, PA, University at Buffalo, NY and Thomas Jefferson University, PA. Assessments will begin at Baseline (Month 0) and continue for 12 months. To reduce participant burden in terms of travel time, cost and inconvenience, patients will complete measures remotely via video/phone at 12 time points (Months 1-12). Daily measures of pain, cannabis and opioid use will be collected via EMA for one week per month for 12 months. Patients will report on multiple indices of cannabis use. Opioid prescription information and other covariates and potential moderators will be collected over the 12-month study period. Many factors affect opioid use, there is little insight into the longitudinal impact of cannabis use on when or how often patients self-dose opioids. EMA will give much needed insight into when and why cannabis users do or do not take opioids. Moreover, the focus on the co-use of cannabis and opioids allows better understanding of the interplay and timing in self-administration of one or both.
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Keywords
- Solid tumor, opioids, cannabis
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasms, Marijuana Abuse
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Black cannabis users | African Americans that use cannabis at least once a week | |
| Black non-cannabis users | African Americans that do not use cannabis for at least 3 months prior to enrollment | |
| White cannabis users | Caucasians that use cannabis at least once a week | |
| White non-cannabis users | Caucasians that do not use cannabis for at least 3 month prior to enrollment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline of Cannabis use
descriptive statistics will be generated for all cannabis-related variables across time [frequency of use, composition (ratio of THC:CBD), indication, source (medical vs. non-medical), and route (inhalation/oral/topical)]. Statistical comparisons will be made across key demographics (e.g., age, education, sex, race), cancer-related variables including cancer treatment status (active vs. completed), and other factors such as duration of opioid use (30-90 days vs. >90 days).ecological momentary assessment questions
Measured: Baseline to 12 months
Cannabis use and patient reported outcomes and opioid use
For all data collected via EMA (cannabis use, opioid use, pain severity, and pain-related function), data will be aggregated at the daily level (84 days of data). For data collected via monthly surveys (anxiety, sleep, QoL) and EMR and PDMP extraction, each timepoint of data collection will be used (10 total: Baseline, Months 1-6, 8, 10, 12). For all variables, change in PROs and opioid use will be tested using HLMs. First, nested model tests will be used to evaluate the shape of change in each outcome variable (e.g., linear, polynomial, piecewise, etc.) as well as relevant random effects. Next, cannabis use (level-2 predictor) will be introduced into the models and crossed with time. We will evaluate whether the shape of change for each outcome differs by cannabis use group.
Measured: Baseline to 12 months
Cannabis use moderate the associations between race and pain
This will follow the same approach described for Aim 2 with the inclusion of race as a dummy coded level 2 predictor and crossing race with cannabis use and time to form interaction terms. Significant interaction terms will be probed following Preacher et al.131. African Americans are expected to experience higher levels of pain severity and less decline in pain severity over time, and we predict this disparity will be reduced among cannabis users.
Measured: Baseline to 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Sep 2023
- Study start30 Mar 2023
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by State University of New York at BuffaloThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Ecologic or community
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at Buffalo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rebecca Ashare, State University of New York at Buffalo
- Investigators
- Salimah Meghani, PhD, Principal investigator, University of PennsylvaniaBrooke Worster, MD, Principal investigator, Thomas Jefferson UniversityRebecca L Ashare, PhD, Principal investigator, University at Buffalo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06037681
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1174865
- Acronym
- C4C
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Sep 2023
- Last updated
- 26 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: No PHI will be shared
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Cannabis Use and Outcomes in Black and White Patients With Cancer
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06037681
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- C4C / 1174865
- Conditions
- Cancer
- Keywords
- Solid tumor, opioids, cannabis
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- State University of New York at BuffaloUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University
- Study start
- 30 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of the observational study is to learn how black and white patients with solid tumor cancer use cannabis, opioids and tobacco. The investigators are using momentary ecological assessment through a smart phone app and surveys to assess patient-reported pain and other symptoms as to inform clinical practice and guidelines for underrepresented populations.
Detailed description
Using an observational design with momentary ecological assessment on a smartphone app (mEMA), The investigators propose a strong prospective cohort design with repeated-measures for 12 months regarding patients with cancer and their pain, use of opioids and cannabis. The design was selected to allow for real-time, real-world assessments, while minimizing risks due to attrition and burden to the participants. The staff will enroll 100 cannabis users (50 African American, 50 White) and 100 cannabis non-users (50 African American, 50 White) diagnosed with cancer in the last 3 years and prescribed opioids from each of the three sites, University of Pennsylvania, PA, University at Buffalo, NY and Thomas Jefferson University, PA. Assessments will begin at Baseline (Month 0) and continue for 12 months. To reduce participant burden in terms of travel time, cost and inconvenience, patients will complete measures remotely via video/phone at 12 time points (Months 1-12). Daily measures of pain, cannabis and opioid use will be collected via EMA for one week per month for 12 months. Patients will report on multiple indices of cannabis use. Opioid prescription information and other covariates and potential moderators will be collected over the 12-month study period. Many factors affect opioid use, there is little insight into the longitudinal impact of cannabis use on when or how often patients self-dose opioids. EMA will give much needed insight into when and why cannabis users do or do not take opioids. Moreover, the focus on the co-use of cannabis and opioids allows better understanding of the interplay and timing in self-administration of one or both.
Study design
- Observational model
- Ecologic or community
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Black cannabis users | – | –African Americans that use cannabis at least once a week |
| Black non-cannabis users | – | –African Americans that do not use cannabis for at least 3 months prior to enrollment |
| White cannabis users | – | –Caucasians that use cannabis at least once a week |
| White non-cannabis users | – | –Caucasians that do not use cannabis for at least 3 month prior to enrollment |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Black and White patients from Local cancer centers of the Buffalo, Univsity of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson Univeristy areas.
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- 21 years or older
- Black or white race
- Solid tumor cancer within 3 years of enrollment
- Cannabis use of at least once a week or non cannabis use for 3 months
- experience pain but spend less than 50% in bed or chair
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Lymphoma, leukemia, and melanoma
- CBD only use
- Synthetic cannabis use in past 3 months = Prescribed Medically-prescribed synthetic cannabis (e.g., dronabinol [Marinol, Syndros], Epidiolex)
- race other than Black or White
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Change from baseline of Cannabis use
Time frame: Baseline to 12 months
descriptive statistics will be generated for all cannabis-related variables across time [frequency of use, composition (ratio of THC:CBD), indication, source (medical vs. non-medical), and route (inhalation/oral/topical)]. Statistical comparisons will be made across key demographics (e.g., age, education, sex, race), cancer-related variables including cancer treatment status (active vs. completed), and other factors such as duration of opioid use (30-90 days vs. >90 days).ecological momentary assessment questions
Cannabis use and patient reported outcomes and opioid use
Time frame: Baseline to 12 months
For all data collected via EMA (cannabis use, opioid use, pain severity, and pain-related function), data will be aggregated at the daily level (84 days of data). For data collected via monthly surveys (anxiety, sleep, QoL) and EMR and PDMP extraction, each timepoint of data collection will be used (10 total: Baseline, Months 1-6, 8, 10, 12). For all variables, change in PROs and opioid use will be tested using HLMs. First, nested model tests will be used to evaluate the shape of change in each outcome variable (e.g., linear, polynomial, piecewise, etc.) as well as relevant random effects. Next, cannabis use (level-2 predictor) will be introduced into the models and crossed with time. We will evaluate whether the shape of change for each outcome differs by cannabis use group.
Cannabis use moderate the associations between race and pain
Time frame: Baseline to 12 months
This will follow the same approach described for Aim 2 with the inclusion of race as a dummy coded level 2 predictor and crossing race with cannabis use and time to form interaction terms. Significant interaction terms will be probed following Preacher et al.131. African Americans are expected to experience higher levels of pain severity and less decline in pain severity over time, and we predict this disparity will be reduced among cannabis users.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. No PHI will be shared
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Salimah Meghani, PhD principal investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Brooke Worster, MD principal investigator
Thomas Jefferson University
Rebecca L Ashare, PhD principal investigator
University at Buffalo
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cancer, run by State University of New York at Buffalo at 3 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change from baseline of Cannabis use (time frame: Baseline to 12 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.