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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is estimated to affect 5% of children and adolescents worldwide. The core manifestations of ADHD include impulsivity, inattentiveness and hyperactivity, with there being a high proportion of individuals also experiencing other psychiatric co-morbidities. Currently available treatments for ADHD are limited by the low adherence rates related to adverse events. However, it has been suggested that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) may be effective in the treatment of ADHD, as evidence has shown how cannabis can lead to improvements in symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. However, there is still limited published data supporting its use and further randomised controlled trials are required to help establish the efficacy, safety and exact role of CBMPs for the treatment of ADHD. ADHD patients can be assessed for receiving potential treatment with CBMPs by specialist clinics, such as Sapphire Medical Clinics, in instances where they have failed to respond to their treatment.

In the UK, in addition to licensed medical cannabis products, over 30 000 patients are prescribed unlicensed preparations. The conditions for which these unlicensed products are commonly prescribed and have been identified as having potential therapeutic value, include neurological conditions, as well as those conditions that require modulation of the central and/or peripheral nervous system via targeting the endocannabinoid system, such as during chronic pain. Considering the growing evidence base, this article examines some of the pre-clinical and clinical rationale underpinning the increase in the prescription of these products since their rescheduling in 2018. Beyond this, the article outlines the regulatory environment for prescribing, some of the barriers that patients face, and the work of Sapphire Medical Clinics to uphold stringent clinical governance practices, while providing a patient-centred service.

Background There is a paucity of high-quality evidence of the efficacy and safety of cannabis-based medicinal products in treatment of treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) in children. Methods A case series of children ( Results Thirty-five patients were included in the analysis. Patients were prescribed during their treatment with the following: CBD isolate oils (n = 19), CBD broad-spectrum oils (n = 17), and CBD/Δ9-THC combination therapy (n = 17). Twenty-three (65.7%) patients achieved a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. 94.1% (n = 16) of patients treated with CBD and Δ9-THC observed a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency compared to 31.6% (n = 6) and 17.6% (n = 3) of patients treated with CBD isolates and broad-spectrum CBD products, respectively (p< 0.001). Twenty-six (74.3%) adverse events were reported by 16 patients (45.7%). The majority of these were mild (n = 12; 34.2%) and moderate (n = 10; 28.6%). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate a positive signal of improved seizure frequency in children treated with Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for TRE. Moreover, the results suggest that CBMPs are well-tolerated in the short term. The limitations mean causation cannot be determined in this open-label, case series.

Surgery for patients with pancreatic cancer carries a high risk of major post-operative complications and only marginally improves overall survival. This review aims to assess the impact of surgical resection on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of pancreatic cancer patients.A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. All studies assessing QOL using validated questionnaires in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing surgical resection were included.Twenty-two studies were assessed. Patients reported a decrease in physical, social and global scales within the first 3 months after surgery. These values showed improvement and were comparable to baseline values by 6 months. Recovery in emotional functioning towards baseline figures was demonstrated in the first 3 months post-operatively. Symptom scales including pain, fatigue and diarrhoea deteriorated after surgery, but reverted to baseline after 3-6 months.Surgical resection for pancreatic cancer has short-term negative impact on QOL. In the longer term, this will improve and eventually recover to baseline values after 6 months. Knowledge on the impact of surgery on QOL of pancreatic cancer patients is necessary to facilitate decision-making and tailoring of surgical techniques to the individual patient.

Objectives Anxiety disorders are one of the most common reasons for seeking treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). Current pharmacological treatments are variable in efficacy and the endocannabinoid system has been identified as a potential therapeutic target. This study aims to detail the changes in health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and clinical safety following CBMP therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Methods A case series from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was performed. Primary outcomes included changes from baseline in patient-reported outcome measures (the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), EQ-5D-5L (a measure of health-related quality of life), and Sleep Quality Scale (SQS)) at 1, 3 and 6 months. Statistical significance was defined as p

A) CT and MRI of patient with prolonged partial response with MTL-CEBPA treatment B) IFN-gamma, NFkB and IL6 trend at days 1, 8 and 15 following treatment and C) AFP change at from baseline to 4, 8 and 16 weeks on treatment

Supplementary Legends

Showing complete radiological response of lung metastases

Dose escalation flow chart. DLT - dose limiting toxicity, MTD - maximum tolerated dose

Trial Protocol

Supplementary Table 1 CEBPA-51 PK parameters Supplementary Table 2 RECIST 1.1 response observed overall and per cohorts in HCC patients at cut-off (12 Sep 2018) presented as n (%)

Purpose:Transcription factor C/EBP-α (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha) acts as a master regulator of hepatic and myeloid functions and multiple oncogenic processes. MTL-CEBPA is a first-in-class small activating RNA oligonucleotide drug that upregulates C/EBP-α.Patients and Methods:We conducted a phase I, open-label, dose-escalation trial of MTL-CEBPA in adults with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis, or resulting from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or with liver metastases. Patients received intravenous MTL-CEBPA once a week for 3 weeks followed by a rest period of 1 week per treatment cycle in the dose-escalation phase (3+3 design).Results:Thirty-eight participants have been treated across six dose levels (28–160 mg/m2) and three dosing schedules. Thirty-four patients were evaluable for safety endpoints at 28 days. MTL-CEBPA treatment–related adverse events were not associated with dose, and no maximum dose was reached across the three schedules evaluated. Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in nine (24%) patients. In 24 patients with HCC evaluable for efficacy, an objective tumor response was achieved in one patient [4%; partial response (PR) for over 2 years] and stable disease (SD) in 12 (50%). After discontinuation of MTL-CEBPA, seven patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs); three patients had a complete response with one further PR and two with SD.Conclusions:MTL-CEBPA is the first saRNA in clinical trials and demonstrates an acceptable safety profile and potential synergistic efficacy with TKIs in HCC. These encouraging phase I data validate targeting of C/EBP-α and have prompted MTL-CEBPA + sorafenib combination studies in HCC.

Longitudinal changes in WBC mRNA expression of CEBPA, adenosine, PD-1 & CXCR4 at screening, day2, 8 and 15 of a single patient treated in the 130mg/m2 cohort

qPCR of CEBPA mRNA levels at days 2, 8 and 15 following treatment

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of high-quality data on patient outcomes and safety after initiating treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes and safety of CBMPs by analyzing patient-reported outcome measures and adverse events across a broad spectrum of chronic conditions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study analyzed patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Participants completed the EQ-5D-5L to assess health-related quality of life, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire to measure anxiety severity, and the Single-item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) to rate sleep quality at baseline and follow-up after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 2833 participants met inclusion criteria. The EQ-5D-5L index value, GAD-7, and SQS all improved at each follow-up (p 0.050). Adverse events were reported by 474 (16.73%) participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CBMPs are associated with an improvement in health-related quality of life in UK patients with chronic diseases. Treatment was tolerated well by most participants, but adverse events were more common in female and cannabis-naïve patients.

The following study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, who were treated with inhaled dried flower (Adven® EMT2, Curaleaf International, Guernsey), and sublingual/oral medium-chain triglyceride-based oils (Adven, Curaleaf International, Guernsey) for chronic pain. In this cohort study, the primary outcomes were changes in validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 1, 3, and 6 months compared to baseline, and adverse event analysis. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.050. Three hundred and forty-eight (45.7%), 36 (4.7%), and 377 (49.5%) patients were treated with oils, dried flower, or both, respectively. Patients treated with oils or combination therapy recorded improvements within health-related quality of life, pain, and sleep-specific PROMs at 1, 3, and 6 months (p < 0.050). Patients treated with combination therapy recorded improvements in anxiety-specific PROMs at 1, 3, and 6 months (p < 0.050). 1,273 (167.3%) adverse events were recorded, with previously cannabis naïve users, ex-cannabis users, and females more likely to experience adverse events (p < 0.050). This study observed an association between initiation of CBMP treatment and improved outcomes for chronic pain patients. Prior cannabis use and gender were associated with adverse event incidence. Placebo-controlled trials are still necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of CBMPs for chronic pain.

INTRODUCTION: There is growing evidence on the efficacy of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for chronic pain (CP). Due to the interaction between CP and anxiety, and the potential impact of CBMPs on both anxiety and CP, this article aimed to compare the outcomes of CP patients with and without co-morbid anxiety following CBMP treatment. METHODS: Participants were prospectively enrolled and categorized by baseline General Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7) scores, into 'no anxiety'(GAD-7 0.050). The anxiety cohort reported greater improvements in EQ-5D-5L index values, SQS and GAD-7(p

Objectives To explore pain-specific, general health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and safety outcomes of chronic pain patients prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). Methods A case series was performed using patients with chronic pain from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes were changes in Brief Pain Inventory short-form (BPI), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 (SF-MPQ-2), Visual Analogue Scale-Pain (VAS), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), and EQ-5D-5L, at 1, 3, and 6 months from baseline. Statistical significance was defined at p-value

Background Whilst access to cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) has increased globally subject to relaxation of scheduling laws globally, one of the main barriers to appropriate patient access remains a paucity of high-quality evidence surrounding their clinical effects. Discussion Whilst randomised controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold-standard for clinical evaluation, there are notable barriers to their implementation. Development of CBMPs requires novel approaches of evidence collection to address these challenges. Real world evidence (RWE) presents a solution to not only both provide immediate impact on clinical care, but also inform well-conducted RCTs. RWE is defined as evidence derived from health data sourced from non-interventional studies, registries, electronic health records and insurance data. Currently it is used mostly to monitor post-approval safety requirements allowing for long-term pharmacovigilance. However, RWE has the potential to be used in conjunction or as an extension to RCTs to both broaden and streamline the process of evidence generation. Conclusion Novel approaches of data collection and analysis will be integral to improving clinical evidence on CBMPs. RWE can be used in conjunction or as an extension to RCTs to increase the speed of evidence generation, as well as reduce costs. Currently, there is an abundance of potential data however, whilst a number of platforms now exist to capture real world data it is important the right tools and analysis are utilised to unlock potential insights from these.

Although pre-clinical experiments associate cannabinoids with reduced depressive symptoms, there is a paucity of clinical evidence. This study aims to analyze the health-related quality of life changes and safety outcomes in patients prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for depression.A series of uncontrolled cases from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry were analyzed. The primary outcomes were changes from baseline in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), and EQ-5D-5 L at 1, 3, and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included adverse events incidence.129 patients were identified for inclusion. Median PHQ-9 at baseline was 16.0 (IQR: 9.0-21.0). There were reductions in PHQ-9 at 1-month (median: 8.0; IQR: 4.0-14.0; p 0.001), 3-months (7.0; 2.3-12.8; p 0.001), and 6-months (7.0; 2.0-9.5; p 0.001). Improvements were also observed in GAD-7, SQS, and EQ-5D-5L Index Value at 1, 3, and 6 months (p 0.050). 153 (118.6%) adverse events were recorded by 14.0% (n = 18) of participants, 87% (n = 133) of which were mild or moderate.CBMP treatment was associated with reductions in depression severity at 1, 3, and 6 months. Limitations of the study design mean that a causal relationship cannot be proven. This analysis provides insights for further study within clinical trial settings.Depression is a highly prevalent mental health condition with approximately one in five people affected by at least one episode of depression in their lifetime. Two cardinal symptoms of depression are low mood and loss of interest. Since depression is such a debilitating condition, improving quality of life is an important part of treatment.Antidepressant medications are currently an important part of treating depression, but the variability in their effectiveness means that there is a need for alternative treatments. Medicinal cannabis, which contains certain chemicals from the cannabis plant, has received growing interest as a potential novel treatment for depression. Due to the lack of clinical studies on the use of medicinal cannabis to treat depression, this study aims to assess the effects of medicinal cannabis on quality of life in patients suffering from depression.The study included 129 patients treated with medicinal cannabis for depression at Sapphire Medical Clinics. The results showed that medicinal cannabis was associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as health-related quality of life, and sleep quality after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Although there were numerous adverse events in a small number of patients, most of these were mild or moderate. A major limitation is that this study cannot determine the extent to which medicinal cannabis is directly responsible for the improvements in depression symptoms that were observed. Future studies should focus on conducting clinical trials which can better evaluate the true treatment effects of medicinal cannabis for depression.

Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown promising preclinical activity in inflammatory bowel disease. However, clinical trials have not demonstrated significant effects on active inflammation. This study aims to analyze changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events in IBD patients prescribed CBMPs.A case series from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was performed. Primary outcomes included changes from baseline in the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), and EQ-5D-5L Index score at 1 and 3 months. Statistical significance was defined using p0.050. Secondary outcomes included incidence of adverse events.Seventy-six patients with Crohn's disease (n=51; 67.11%) and ulcerative colitis (n=25; 32.89%) were included. The median baseline SIBDQ score improved at 1 and 3 months. EQ-5D-5L index values, GAD-7 and SQS also improved after 3 months (p0.050). Sixteen (21.05%) patients reported adverse events with the majority being classified as mild to moderate in severity. No life-threatening AEs were reported.Patients treated with CBMPs for refractory symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis demonstrated a short-term improvement in IBD-specific and general HRQoL. Prior cannabis consumers reported greater improvement compared to cannabis-naïve individuals.

Background The current paucity of clinical evidence limits the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study investigates health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes and adverse events in patients prescribed CBMPs for PTSD. Methods A case-series of patients from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was analyzed. HRQoL was assessed at 1-, 3-, and 6-months using validated patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Adverse events were analyzed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.050. Results Of 162 included patients, 88.89% (n = 144) were current/previous cannabis users. Median daily CBMP dosages were 5.00 (IQR: 0.00–70.00) mg of cannabidiol and 145.00 (IQR: 100.00–200.00) mg of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Significant improvements were observed in PTSD symptoms, sleep, and anxiety across all follow-up periods (p < 0.050). There were 220 (135.8%) adverse events reported by 33 patients (20.37%), with the majority graded mild or moderate in severity (n = 190, 117.28%). Insomnia and fatigue had the greatest incidence (n = 20, 12.35%). Conclusions Associated improvements in HRQoL were observed in patients who initiated CBMP therapy. Adverse events analysis suggests acceptability and safety up to 6 months. This study may inform randomized placebo-controlled trials, required to confirm causality and determine optimal dosing.

INTRODUCTION: There has yet to be an evaluation of medical cannabis patient preferences with respect to future research. As such, prioritisation of research agendas has been largely driven by academia and industry. The primary aim of this study was to elicit priorities for research from medical cannabis patients in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: Patients undergoing active treatment for health conditions with medical cannabis in the UK were invited to take part in focus groups from December 2021 to February 2022. An inductive thematic analysis of responses was performed. Participants also completed a ranking exercise whereby they assigned ten counters (each equivalent to £1 million GBP) to competing research priorities. RESULTS: 30 medical cannabis patients participated across 3 focus groups. The following themes were identified as research priorities: adverse events, comparison between cannabis-based medicinal products, health conditions, pharmacology of cannabis, types of study, healthcare professionals' attitudes, social environment, agriculture and manufacturing, and the cannabis plant. Participants assigned the highest proportion of research funding to 'assessment of effect on specific symptoms' (26 counters; 8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted specific themes within which to focus future research on medical cannabis. Clinically, there was a directive towards ensuring that research is condition- or symptom-specific. Participants also emphasised themes on the social impact of medical cannabis, such as knowledge of medical cannabis among healthcare professionals, stigma, and effects on driving and in the workplace. These findings can guide both research funders and researchers into effectively conducting research which fits within a more patient-centric model.

Background In the UK, legislation and regulations governing medical cannabis and over the counter cannabidiol (CBD) wellness products have rapidly evolved since 2018. This study aimed to assess the public awareness of the availability, regulations, and barriers to access medical cannabis and over the counter CBD wellness products. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was performed through YouGov® using quota sampling methodology between March 22nd and March 31st 2021. Responses were matched and statistically weighted to UK adult population demographics, including those without internet access, and analysed according to percentage of respondents. Statistical significance was defined by p-value < 0.050. Results Ten thousand six hundred eighty-four participants completed the survey. 5,494 (51.4%) respondents believed that medical cannabis is legal in the UK. 684 (6.4%) participants consumed CBD for wellness reasons, 286 (2.7%) were prescribed CBD for a medical reason and 222 (2.1%) consumed CBD for another reason. 10,076 (94.3%) respondents were unaware of April 2021 regulations meaning that all over the counter CBD wellness products in the UK must conform to European Novel Foods Regulations. The most frequently reported main barriers to accessing medical cannabis were its association with recreational cannabis (n = 2,686; 25.1%), being unsure if it was legal (n = 2,276; 21.3%) and being unsure what medical conditions its can be used for (n = 1,863; 17.4%). Conclusion A large proportion of respondents are unaware of the legislation and regulations surrounding medical cannabis and over the counter CBD wellness products. Lack of knowledge may present a barrier to safe access to either product.

Introduction Cannabinoids are a group of terpenophenolic compounds derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. There is a growing body of evidence from cell culture and animal studies in support of cannabinoids possessing anticancer properties. Method A database search of peer reviewed articles published in English as full texts between January 1970 and April 2021 in Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science was undertaken. References of relevant literature were searched to identify additional studies to construct a narrative literature review of oncological effects of cannabinoids in pre-clinical and clinical studies in various cancer types. Results Phyto-, endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids demonstrated antitumour effects both in vitro and in vivo. However, these effects are dependent on cancer type, the concentration and preparation of the cannabinoid and the abundance of receptor targets. The mechanism of action of synthetic cannabinoids, (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has mainly been described via the traditional cannabinoid receptors; CB1 and CB2, but reports have also indicated evidence of activity through GPR55, TRPM8 and other ion channels including TRPA1, TRPV1 and TRPV2. Conclusion Cannabinoids have shown to be efficacious both as a single agent and in combination with antineoplastic drugs. These effects have occurred through various receptors and ligands and modulation of signalling pathways involved in hallmarks of cancer pathology. There is a need for further studies to characterise its mode of action at the molecular level and to delineate efficacious dosage and route of administration in addition to synergistic regimes.

The UK Medical Cannabis Registry is the largest real world data platform for medical cannabis outcomes in the UK, providing insight into clinical outcomes and monitoring safety of this novel therapy. This study aims to assess the functionality and accessibility of the online data collection platform and patient priorities for future research. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. For open-ended questions an inductive thematic analysis was performed. 600 responses were recorded. 554 (92.3%) patients had used the platform. 272 (90.4%) patients believed it was easy to input medications. 52 (8.67%) patients recorded an adverse event with 38 (73.1%) finding it easy to record. 535 (96.6%) patients had completed health questionnaires with 490 (91.6%) patients finding this easy to do. 553 (92.2%) patients agreed that contributing to the registry would impact the medical care of future patients. 'Assessing the impact of medical cannabis on quality of life generally' was the top research priority for 357 (59.3%) patients. This study demonstrates that most enrolled patients found the platform easy to use and believed they were positively impacting future medical cannabis patient care. Future patient research priorities included assessment of quality of life and condition-specific outcomes.

Cannabis sativa L has a long history as a medicinal plant, dating back more than two millennia. Preclinical studies using both pharmacological and genetic approaches have increased the understanding of this plant and its importance in providing therapeutic strategies for a variety of conditions. The cannabis plant comprises hundreds of different active compounds with potential therapeutic properties, with cannabinoids being the main class of active compounds. Recent drug development has produced cannabinoid-rich cannabis-based medicinal products, which were legalised in November 2018 in the UK. They are increasingly prescribed for conditions, including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and chronic pain. This article aims to review the current literature on the therapeutic effects and applications of the two main cannabinoids found in cannabis-based medicinal products.

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a widely recognised local complication following acute pancreatitis. Typically occurring more than four weeks after acute pancreatitis, a pseudocyst is a mature, encapsulated collection found within the peripancreatic tissues manifesting as abdominal pain, structural compression, gastroparesis, sepsis and organ dysfunction. Therapeutic interventions include endoscopic transpapillary or transmural drainage, percutaneous catheter drainage and open surgery. We present our management of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis complicated by a pancreatic pseudocyst extending to the splenic capsule in a 38-year-old man. A trial of conservative management was sought, but later escalated to percutaneous fluoroscopic drainage. Despite a period of volume reduction of the pseudocyst, reaccumulation occurred. We describe successful surgical treatment via means of a splenocystojejunostomy and subsequent pain reduction.

Aim Cannabis‐based medicinal products (CBMPs) are prescribed with increased frequency, despite a paucity of high‐quality randomized controlled trials. The aim of this study is to analyze the early outcomes of the first series of patients prescribed CBMPs in the UK with respect to effects on health‐related quality of life and clinical safety. Methods A prospective case series was performed using the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes were change in patient‐reported outcomes measures (EQ‐5D‐5L, General Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) and Single‐Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS)) at 1 and 3 months from baseline. The secondary outcome was the incidence of adverse events. Statistical significance was defined by a P‐value, This study described the early outcomes of the first case series of patients prescribed CBMPs in the UK. Early data suggests improvement in health‐related quality of life and acceptable safety outcomes.

Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are prescribed with increasing frequency. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stigma attached to patients prescribed CBMPs in the UK to establish its prevalence. A qualitative survey was developed by an expert multidisciplinary group and data were collected via Qualtrics. In total, 2319 patients on CBMP therapy were invited to take part in this study. 450 (19.4%) participants completed the questionnaire. In total, 81.3% (n = 366), 76.9% (n = 346), and 61.3% (n = 276) of participants reported feeling very comfortable or comfortable telling friends, family, and medical professionals, respectively, about their treatment. Participants thought that friends (n = 372; 82.7%) and family (n = 339; 75.3%) were very approving or somewhat approving of their CBMP prescription. However, participants thought that only 37.8% (n = 170) of healthcare professionals and 32.9% (n = 148) of society in general were very approving or somewhat approving of their CBMP prescription. 57.1% (n = 257), 55.3% (n = 249), and 40.2% (n = 181) of participants were afraid of what the police or criminal justice system, other government agencies, and healthcare professionals might think about their treatment. This study highlights those patients treated with CBMPs experience a high prevalence of perceived stigma from many corners of society. Future work should be undertaken to explore strategies to reduce perceived stigma at an individual and community level to avoid discrimination of patients, likely increasing appropriate access.

Background Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the only curative treatment option for patients with resectable ampullary adenocarcinoma (AA). Excellent disease free survival (DFS) can be achieved in patients with clear resection margins but it is poorly understood which patients are at increased risk of recurrence and hence would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. There is evolving evidence that the anatomical location of incomplete resection margins influences DFS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It is unknown if this also pertains to AA and therefore this study aimed to assess individual resection margin status and other predictors of DFS in AA. Material & methods Consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for AA at our institution from 1996 to 2017 were analysed. Pancreas neck, posterior and superior mesenteric vein margins were assessed individually. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to identify predictors of 5-year DFS. Factors with p Results Analysis of 104 patients revealed median OS and DFS of 56 and 34 months, respectively. Predictors associated with worse DFS on multivariate analysis were T3-stage (HR 3.6, p = 0.048), N1 (HR 2.9, p = 0.01) and N2 -stage (HR 3.6, p = 0.006), R1 status at the posterior margin (HR 3.0, p = 0.009) and a visible mass on CT (HR 2.0, p = 0.039). Conclusion Routine histopathological assessment of individual resection margins may aid in predicting recurrence of AA. Future studies to assess if routine mesopancreas excision during pancreaticoduodenectomy can reduce the incidence of R1 status at the posterior margin are warranted.