SOLANA BEACH, Calif., July 13, 2026
Artelo Biosciences announced positive nonclinical results demonstrating that its investigational cannabinoid receptor agonist ART27.13 significantly reduced neuropathic pain behaviors in a preclinical model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). The findings expand the potential therapeutic applications of ART27.13 beyond cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome (CACS) and support its development as a broader cancer supportive care therapy. The results complement encouraging interim findings from the ongoing Phase 2 Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS), which previously showed improvements in body weight, lean body mass, activity levels, and safety.
ART27.13 Reduces Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain
Researchers evaluated ART27.13 in a nonclinical model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, a common complication affecting approximately 60% to 80% of patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy. Repeated administration of ART27.13 reduced key indicators of neuropathic pain, including mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, in both male and female animals. The findings suggest that peripheral cannabinoid receptor activation may help alleviate chemotherapy-induced nerve pain while supporting continued investigation in oncology supportive care.
Interim CAReS Study Supports Broader Clinical Potential
The new data build upon interim results from the ongoing CAReS Phase 2 clinical trial, where ART27.13 demonstrated encouraging improvements in body weight, lean body mass, physical activity, and overall tolerability in patients experiencing cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome. The investigational therapy has shown a favorable safety profile at doses up to 1,300 µg/day, with patients receiving the highest dose experiencing average weight gains exceeding 6%, compared with approximately 5% weight loss in the placebo group. The study also incorporates pain-related endpoints to evaluate whether the preclinical analgesic findings translate into clinical benefit.
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Supportive Care Opportunity Extends Beyond Appetite and Weight Loss
ART27.13 is an oral, once-daily, peripherally restricted dual CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist designed to avoid the central nervous system side effects commonly associated with cannabinoid therapies. By targeting multiple pathways involved in appetite regulation, metabolism, body composition, and pain signaling, the therapy may address several complications experienced by patients with advanced cancer. With no FDA-approved treatments currently available for cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome, Artelo believes ART27.13 has the potential to become a differentiated supportive care therapy that simultaneously improves appetite, preserves lean body mass, manages chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, and enhances quality of life for patients
Source: Artelo Biosciences press release
