Cannabinoids May Counter Multiple Side Effects of Chemotherapy | Research

The takeaway

Beyond their established anti-nausea effects, cannabinoids showed potential in preclinical and early clinical studies to counteract chemotherapy-induced bone loss, kidney damage, heart damage, pain, insomnia, and appetite loss.

Read this if you are undergoing chemotherapy and want to understand the broader potential of cannabinoids for side effect management.

Cannabinoids may address 8+ chemotherapy side effects simultaneously

What the researchers found

This exploratory review examined evidence for cannabinoids addressing a wider range of chemotherapy side effects than just nausea and vomiting.

Beyond the established use for chemotherapy-induced nausea, the review identified emerging evidence for cannabinoids in: appetite stimulation for cancer cachexia, protection against chemotherapy-induced bone loss (through CB2 receptor activation), reduction of kidney toxicity (nephroprotection), reduction of heart damage (cardioprotection), pain management, mood improvement, and relief from insomnia.

The review also noted that cannabinoids showed direct antitumoral effects in some preclinical models, suggesting they might simultaneously fight cancer while mitigating treatment side effects.

Why it matters

Chemotherapy side effects significantly affect quality of life and treatment adherence. If cannabinoids can address multiple side effects simultaneously while potentially having antitumor activity, they could serve as valuable adjuncts to cancer treatment.

The numbers in context

Applications reviewed: anti-nausea, appetite stimulation, bone protection, nephroprotection, cardioprotection, pain relief, mood improvement, insomnia relief, antitumoral effects

How the study worked

Exploratory review of preclinical and clinical literature on cannabinoid effects relevant to chemotherapy side effect management.

What this study cannot tell us

Exploratory review covering a wide range of indications with varying evidence quality. Most evidence for newer applications was preclinical. Clinical data for bone, kidney, and heart protection from cannabinoids was minimal.

How to read the evidence

Exploratory review synthesizing evidence across multiple applications. Anti-nausea evidence is established; other applications have primarily preclinical support.

When this study was published

Published in 2015. Research on cannabinoids in cancer supportive care has continued.

The bigger picture

The concept of a single compound addressing multiple chemotherapy side effects is appealing because it could simplify supportive care regimens. However, most of the evidence beyond anti-nausea effects remained preclinical at the time.

Questions still open

Which chemotherapy agents are most amenable to cannabinoid co-administration? Could cannabinoids interfere with chemotherapy efficacy? What cannabinoid doses and formulations are optimal for each side effect?

Common questions

Can cannabinoids protect organs during chemotherapy?

Preclinical studies suggested cannabinoids may protect kidneys and heart from chemotherapy damage and prevent bone loss. However, these findings were mostly from animal studies and had not been validated in human clinical trials at the time of this review.

Should cancer patients use cannabis during chemotherapy?

The evidence supports cannabinoids for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Other benefits like organ protection and pain relief had primarily preclinical evidence. Patients should discuss any cannabis use with their oncology team to avoid potential drug interactions.

Read the original research

Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in counteracting chemotherapy-induced adverse effects: an exploratory review.

Phytotherapy research : PTR, 29(3), 332-8

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Ostadhadi, Sattar; Rahmatollahi, Mahdieh; Dehpour, Ahmad-Reza; Rahimian, Reza. (2015). Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in counteracting chemotherapy-induced adverse effects: an exploratory review.. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 29(3), 332-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5265