Estimating the Global and EU27+UK Prevalence of Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care and Patients in Two Neurodegenerative Disorders Potentially Benefiting From Cannabinoid-Based Medicines

BACKGROUND: There is a need for alternative treatments, such as Cannabis-Based Medicines (CBMs), for relieve of symptom burden across many diseases. This includes cancer patients in need of palliative care and patients with neurodegenerative disorders. However, quantification of these populations is lacking. We co-developed preliminary market assumptions aiming to quantify the most vulnerable populations that may benefit from CBMs.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of patients with cancer in need of palliative care in the last year of life, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, that may benefit from CBMs for overall symptom burden reduction.

METHODS: Estimates were derived based on a targeted search and a bottom-up approach to prevalence. Published literature and registry data were used to assess the proportion of patients that may benefit from symptom burden reduction globally and in the EU27+UK. Prevalence projections, expressed as the total number of cases, were made for 2023 and 2030, respectively, leveraging available population data for the geographies of interest.

RESULTS: In 2023, the estimated number of adult cancer patients in need of palliative care in their last year of life who could benefit from symptom burden reduction was 13,393,493 globally and 1,409,848 in the EU27+UK. Projections for 2030 indicate these numbers will increase to 19,683,058 and 2,041,629, respectively. Additionally, in 2023, the combined number of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease patients was estimated at 63,178,930 globally and 7,040,800 in the EU27+UK, with projections for 2030 rising to 79,427,409 and 7,611,120, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial and growing number of patients with cancer in need of palliative care as well as with neurodegenerative disorders who may benefit from CBMs for reducing symptom burden. Considering the potential impact on patients, caregivers and payers, these insights may be used to further inform and drive clinical development in this field.