Cannabis allergy is real: lipid transfer protein Can s 3 identified as the main culprit
Up to 72% of patients reporting cannabis-related anaphylaxis tested positive for sensitization to Can s 3, a lipid transfer protein, which also increases risk of allergic reactions to plant-derived foods.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Can s 3-based diagnostic tests showed the best combination of predictive values (80% positive, 60% negative) for confirming cannabis allergy. Can s 3-positive patients had significantly more cofactor-mediated reactions and cross-reactive sensitizations to other plant lipid transfer proteins.
Key Numbers
120 cannabis allergy patients studied. 72% of those with likely anaphylaxis were Can s 3 sensitized. Can s 3-based tests: 80% positive predictive value, 60% negative predictive value. sIgE hemp: 82% sensitivity but only 32% specificity. 72% of anaphylaxis patients also had systemic reactions to plant-derived foods.
How They Did This
Clinical study of 120 patients with cannabis allergy, stratified by symptom severity, compared against 62 healthy and 189 atopic controls. Five diagnostic tests were evaluated: sIgE hemp, sIgE and basophil activation test with recombinant Can s 3, BAT with crude cannabis extract, and skin prick test with nCan s 3-rich extract.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis allergy is an emerging concern as legalization increases exposure. Standardized diagnostic tests don't exist yet, and many clinicians are unaware the condition exists. This study identifies the most reliable testing approaches.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis becomes more mainstream, allergic reactions will likely increase. Identifying Can s 3 as the primary allergen and establishing reliable diagnostic methods is a necessary step toward clinical guidelines that don't yet exist.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Not all cannabis allergy patients are Can s 3 positive, suggesting other allergens play a role. The study lacked standardized cannabis allergen preparations. Cross-reactivity patterns may vary by population and geographic region.
Questions This Raises
- ?What other cannabis allergens beyond Can s 3 cause reactions?
- ?Could cannabis processing methods affect allergenicity?
- ?Do different cannabis strains have varying allergy risk profiles?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 72% of cannabis anaphylaxis cases linked to the allergen Can s 3
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: clinical study with appropriate controls testing multiple diagnostic methods, though not randomized.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Exploring the Diagnosis and Profile of Cannabis Allergy.
- Published In:
- The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 7(3), 983-989.e5 (2019)
- Authors:
- Decuyper, Ine Ilona, Van Gasse, Athina Ludovica, Faber, Margaretha A, Elst, Jessy, Mertens, Christel, Rihs, Hans-Peter, Hagendorens, Margo M, Sabato, Vito, Lapeere, Hilde, Bridts, Chris H, De Clerck, Luc S, Ebo, Didier Gaston
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02005
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really be allergic to cannabis?
Yes. This study confirmed cannabis allergy in 120 patients, with symptoms ranging from skin reactions to full anaphylaxis. The primary allergen identified is a lipid transfer protein called Can s 3.
If you're allergic to cannabis, are you also allergic to other plants?
72% of cannabis allergy patients with anaphylaxis also had allergic reactions to plant-derived foods. This is because Can s 3 belongs to a family of proteins found across many plants.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02005APA
Decuyper, Ine Ilona; Van Gasse, Athina Ludovica; Faber, Margaretha A; Elst, Jessy; Mertens, Christel; Rihs, Hans-Peter; Hagendorens, Margo M; Sabato, Vito; Lapeere, Hilde; Bridts, Chris H; De Clerck, Luc S; Ebo, Didier Gaston. (2019). Exploring the Diagnosis and Profile of Cannabis Allergy.. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 7(3), 983-989.e5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2018.09.017
MLA
Decuyper, Ine Ilona, et al. "Exploring the Diagnosis and Profile of Cannabis Allergy.." The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2018.09.017
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Exploring the Diagnosis and Profile of Cannabis Allergy." RTHC-02005. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/decuyper-2019-exploring-the-diagnosis-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.