Research study · Current Oncology Reports · 2025
Indications of Cannabinoids for the Palliation of Cancer-Associated Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Verified on PubMed Systematic review or meta-analysis
A 2025 meta-analysis in Current Oncology Reports tested cannabinoids in cancer. The results were mixed. Cannabis-based medicines seemed to ease pain and anxiety, but the evidence is weak, and they also brought a higher chance of mental, nerve and stomach side effects. This review suggests cannabis-based medicines may ease some symptoms in cancer patients, but.
In plain language
Study overview
This review pooled results from 98 studies that looked at whether cannabis-based medicines help people with cancer manage symptoms such as pain, worry, poor appetite, sickness and sleep problems. The studies involved many thousands of adults and some children, and tested many different products, doses and ways of taking them.
Findings
The results were mixed. Cannabis-based medicines seemed to ease pain and anxiety, but the evidence is weak, and they also brought a higher chance of mental, nerve and stomach side effects.
The deeper readScientific analysis
Purpose of the Review: As cancer survival rates are increasing, alternative treatments to improve quality of life, such as cannabinoids, are gaining attention. Although cannabinoids are widely used to manage cancer-related symptoms, clear guidelines are lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids in the management of symptoms among cancer patients. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023479375). A systematic search was conducted using three main databases (PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL) on 4 November 2023. We included interventional and observational studies that evaluated cannabinoids for symptom management in cancer patients compared to standard care, placebo, or baseline values. Pooled mean differences (MD), proportions and odds ratios (OR), and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with a random-effects model. Recent Findings: Overall, 98 articles were eligible. Cannabinoids reduced pain (MRAW: -1.22, CI: -1.92; -0.52) and anxiety (MRAW: -1.30, CI: -2.22; -0.39) as compared to baseline values. Appetite (MRAW: -1.88, CI: -6.23; 2.46), chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (OR: 2.18, CI: 0.79; 6.00), as well as insomnia (MD: -1.08, CI: -2.48; 0.33) presented with a tendency toward improvement. Cannabinoids do not influence constipation, depression, fatigue, mobility or overall quality of life. In terms of safety issues, THC-predominant formulations increase the risks of psychiatric (OR: 10.62, CI: 1.35; 83.57), neurological (OR:2.24, CI: 1.15; 4.35), and gastrointestinal (OR:2.69, CI:0.73;9.90) side effects. The risk of bias of articles included varied from some concerns to high. Summary: Cannabinoids may be beneficial for the treatment of cancer-related pain and anxiety; however, their use carries a significant risk of adverse effects, particularly psychiatric complications. Careful patient selection is essential when considering cannabinoid-based treatments.
The paper
Citation
Creangă-Murariu I, Rezuș II, Karami R, Rancz A, Zolcsák Á, Engh MA, et al. Indications of Cannabinoids for the Palliation of Cancer-Associated Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Current Oncology Reports (2025). PubMed 40748522 · DOI
Limitations the authors noted
Heterogeneity was moderate to high (I2 up to 100%) across outcomes. Most evidence from observational and one-arm studies with high risk of bias. Many included trials from the 1980s, often crossover designs without pre-switch data. Lack of standardised, GMP-certified products and dosing across studies. Risk of publication bias high for several outcomes. Possible placebo effect in quality-of-life outcomes.
In practice
Why this matters
This review suggests cannabis-based medicines may ease some symptoms in cancer patients, but it does not prove they work, since most of the evidence came from weak studies that did not compare against a placebo. It also cannot say which product, dose or way of taking it is best, and the side effects, especially mental ones, were more common. Patients and doctors should treat the findings as a reason for more careful, well-designed trials rather than a basis for starting treatment.
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Condition: Cancer Topic: Cannabinoids
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Reviewed by Dr. Caplan on October 13, 2026.
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