Preclinical studies show cannabinoids can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, stimulate cell death, and potentially block tumor blood supply and metastasis, but human clinical trial data remains sparse.
Oncology researchers, cancer patients interested in cannabis, medical cannabis advocates.
Cannabinoids showed anticancer effects through proliferation inhibition, autophagy and apoptosis stimulation, and anti-angiogenesis, but some studies found cancer cell stimulation.
What the researchers found
Cannabinoids exhibit anticancer properties through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting cell proliferation, stimulating autophagy and apoptosis, and potentially inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the review also discusses cases where cannabinoids stimulated cancer cell proliferation, and notes the complex role of the endocannabinoid system in cancer development.
Why it matters
While cannabinoids are currently approved only for palliative cancer care (pain and nausea), growing preclinical evidence suggests they may have direct anticancer properties. Understanding both the promise and complexity is essential for responsible research translation.
The numbers in context
Multiple signaling pathways identified, including those controlling cell proliferation and survival. Both in vitro and in vivo evidence reviewed across multiple cancer types.
How the study worked
Review of in vitro and in vivo preclinical evidence for cannabinoid anticancer activity, molecular mechanisms, and currently ongoing clinical trials.
What this study cannot tell us
Most evidence is preclinical. In vitro conditions differ significantly from human tumors. Dosing in animal studies may not translate to humans. Limited clinical trial data available at time of review.
How to read the evidence
Moderate - comprehensive review of substantial preclinical evidence, but clinical trial data was sparse at time of publication.
When this study was published
Published in 2018. Several clinical trials evaluating cannabinoids as anticancer agents have since progressed.
The bigger picture
The review highlights that cannabinoid-cancer interactions are not uniformly anti-tumor. Some evidence suggests cannabinoids can stimulate cancer cell proliferation under certain conditions, and the endocannabinoid system's role in carcinogenesis itself is not fully understood.
Questions still open
- Under what conditions might cannabinoids promote rather than inhibit cancer growth? Which cancer types are most responsive to cannabinoid treatment? Could cannabinoids enhance the effectiveness of conventional chemotherapy?
Common questions
Can cannabis cure cancer?
How might cannabinoids fight cancer?
Read the original research
The current state and future perspectives of cannabinoids in cancer biology.
Cancer medicine, 7(3), 765-775
Citation
Śledziński, Paweł; Zeyland, Joanna; Słomski, Ryszard; Nowak, Agnieszka. (2018). The current state and future perspectives of cannabinoids in cancer biology.. Cancer medicine, 7(3), 765-775. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.1312
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