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The Future of Cannabis Research in Oncology and Symptom Management
Published on: May 8, 2025
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Anitta Mariam Varughese

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Maya Khimji

BA Global Health and Social Medicine, King’s College London

Introduction

Cannabis has a complicated medical history that includes both prohibition and comeback phases. Cannabis is making a comeback in the medical field today, especially in oncology, in which it is being investigated as a possible adjuvant therapy to control symptoms and improve patient quality of life. Growing evidence of cannabis's advantages in areas including pain relief, nausea diminution, and even possible anti-cancer capabilities has sparked interest in its research. It could be revolutionary to comprehend the prospects of cannabis research in oncology, and managing symptoms, as we go into a time where alternative therapies are being aggressively investigated.1,2,3

Current status of oncology cannabis research

Both cannabis's possible symptom-relieving qualities and its association with cancer cells are being investigated in oncology. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the two main active chemicals found in cannabis, are known as cannabinoids. The human body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates several physiological functions such as mood, pain, and immunological response, is impacted by these cannabinoids.4 However, there are particular ethical and legal issues, as well as financial constraints, that scientific research on cannabis's potential to treat cancer must deal with.5 

To date, most clinical trials have been observational, small-scale, or largely concerned with managing symptoms rather than the actual therapy of cancer. Therefore, even while there is a lot of promise, there are still a lot of unanswered concerns about the precise function and efficacy of cannabis in cancer treatment.

Cannabis in the treatment of cancer symptoms

Pain control

One of the most prevalent and incapacitating side effects of cancer and its therapies is chronic pain. Cannabis, especially THC, has demonstrated promise in reducing pain associated with cancer, and is frequently used as a substitute for people who might not react well to opioids. According to research, cannabinoids may lessen the severity of pain that patients experience by interfering with pain pathways.6 Cannabis may also reduce dependency on opioids, which have serious adverse effects and a high risk of abuse. This presents a promising alternative for oncologists looking for more well-rounded and efficient pain treatment techniques.7

Stimulation of the appetite and nausea

Cannabis' antiemetic qualities have long been known, and it is particularly helpful for people receiving chemotherapy, which is known to cause extreme nausea and vomiting.8 Additionally, patients who endure severe weight loss and loss of appetite, which can make recovery more difficult, benefit from cannabis's appetite-stimulating benefits. These advantages, while not conclusive, suggest that cannabis may be useful in treating many of the most difficult side effects of chemotherapy for cancer.5,8

Impact on the mind

Cancer patients can experience psychological issues like worry, despair, and insomnia in addition to physical problems. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has been linked to calming and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects, which may help patients' mental health while they are under stress. A more all-encompassing approach to cancer treatment that takes into account patients' mental and physical health may result in improved sleep and lower anxiety levels, which may also improve patients' overall quality of life.9

Possible cannabinoid anti-cancer effects

Evidence from preclinical research

Recent preclinical research has investigated the potential for cannabinoids to directly affect tumour cells in an anti-cancer manner, while the majority of cannabis studies in oncology have focused on symptom treatment. Studies conducted on animals and in laboratories have shown that cannabis can affect cancer cells in several ways, ranging from causing apoptosis, or programmed death of cells, to decreasing their multiplication. Despite being restricted to preclinical settings, these results are intriguing because they raise the possibility that cannabis possesses qualities that could prevent the growth of tumours.10

Mechanism of action

There are several ways that cannabinoids seem to affect cancer cells. For instance, it has been demonstrated that THC alters the signalling pathways of cancer cells, which may prevent their growth and division.11 Inhibiting angiogenesis, the mechanism by which tumours create new blood vessels to facilitate their growth, is another area of study. According to some research, cannabis may disrupt this mechanism, so reducing the amount of nutrients that a tumour can receive and delaying its growth. Even though these results are encouraging, more research is necessary to fully understand how to apply them in human settings.12

Prospects for anti-cancer research in the future

Future studies must concentrate on human clinical trials to completely comprehend the anti-cancer benefits of cannabis. Preclinical research provides a starting point, but randomised controlled trials are required to confirm cannabis's safety and effectiveness as a human anti-cancer medication. Personalised cannabis therapy, in which treatment is customised to each patient's own genetic and biomarker profiles, may also be made possible by developments in genomic research.13

Obstacles and things to think about in cannabis research

Regulatory and legal obstacles

Research efforts are nevertheless hampered by legal limitations and regulatory obstacles, despite rising interest in cannabis as a medical treatment. Cannabis is still categorised as a controlled substance in many nations, which makes it challenging to get financing and approval for research. Due to different formulations and dosages, these laws may restrict the field of study, impede advancement, and produce inconsistent results.14

Ethical concerns

Research on cannabis also involves ethical considerations. Careful attention is needed to strike a balance between patient demand and a body of scientific data. Researchers and medical professionals need to make sure patients receive safe and efficient care, as well as that they are fully educated about the possible hazards and advantages of cannabis therapy.15

Economic aspects

Another factor to take into account is the financial implications of cannabis treatment. Integrating cannabis into oncology therapies may have an impact on insurance, patient cost-effectiveness, and healthcare system expenditures as healthcare costs grow. Expense, insurance coverage, and pricing concerns must be resolved if cannabis is to become available to all patients.16

Prospects for the future

Cannabis could transform symptom management and improve cancer patients' quality of life if it is incorporated into established oncology treatment methods. With continued research, cannabinoids could be a well-established part of palliative cancer care, providing alleviation of nausea, pain, and other bothersome symptoms. Additionally, if research progresses, there is still a chance that cannabis could directly fight cancer cells, which would bring a new level of complexity to chemotherapy for cancer.5,17

Summary

A notable trend towards incorporating complementary and alternative medicines into standard cancer treatment is the growing interest in cannabis as a therapeutic agent in oncology. Cannabis now has a lot of promise for easing some of the most difficult symptoms that cancer patients deal with, such as nausea, appetite loss, and chronic pain. This is in line with the increasing emphasis on enhancing the quality of life in cancer therapy, and cannabis shows promise, especially for patients who don't react well to traditional treatments.

The majority of research on cannabis's direct anti-cancer properties is still in the preclinical stage. Research suggests that cannabis may disrupt tumour angiogenesis, cause cell death, and suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. Even while these results are encouraging, there is still a significant gap in the application of preclinical data to human clinical settings. 

Finding the effectiveness, safety, and best way to use cannabis as an anti-cancer treatment requires extensive, carefully planned human trials. However, access to cannabis for study is restricted by regulations, and ethical issues centre on patient safety, informed consent, and sharing realistic results. Financial considerations also impact accessibility of cannabis treatments; insurance coverage and out-of-pocket expenses must be taken into account to guarantee fair patient access.

Future cannabis research in oncology will probably depend on cooperation between the scientific, medicinal, and regulatory domains. In summary, even if there are still obstacles to overcome, the continued research into cannabis's potential for cancer therapy shows promise for changing how symptoms are managed, and maybe, influencing the development of new cancer treatment choices. 

References

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Anitta Mariam Varughese

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