Cannabis in cancer: a review of therapeutic potential, clinical and preclinical status, and legislation.

Thapa C.; Kim H.; Kim D.; Lee S.; Chun K. · Archives of pharmacal research · 2026

**Background & Methods** This is a comprehensive literature review systematically evaluating cannabinoids across cell-based studies, animal models, and clinical trials to assess their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. The review critically examines the consistency between preclinical evidence and clinical outcomes while analyzing regulatory frameworks governing cannabis-based products in Western and Asian countries. **Key Findings** • Preclinical studies demonstrate consistent antitumor activity of cannabinoids through multiple mechanisms including inhibition of tumor growth, suppression of angiogenesis, reduction of metastasis, and modulation of immune responses; however, these promising experimental findings have not consistently translated into approved disease-modifying cancer therapies in clinical practice. • Currently approved cannabis-based products are restricted to palliative indications such as chemotherapy-related nausea, vomiting, and cancer-associated pain management rather than direct anti-cancer therapeutic applications, representing a significant evidence-to-practice gap. • Substantial variability in study design, dosing regimens, formulation types, and regulatory constraints significantly hampers the translation of experimental findings into standardized clinical protocols, with lack of legislative harmonization across jurisdictions remaining a major barrier to product development and implementation. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. The review does not specify standardized dosing regimens or administration routes, citing this inconsistency as a major barrier to clinical translation. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. The abstract does not detail specific adverse effects or safety profiles of cannabis-based products in cancer patients. **Evidence Quality** This review represents a moderate level of evidence (Level 3-4) based on systematic evaluation of existing literature rather than original research data. Major limitations include: (1) significant heterogeneity in preclinical study methodologies limiting direct comparison; (2) limited number of high-quality randomized controlled clinical trials; (3) inconsistency in cannabinoid formulations and dosing across studies; (4) regulatory constraints limiting human clinical research; and (5) disconnect between robust preclinical findings and limited clinical application. The authors emphasize that legislative harmonization and standardized clinical trial design are essential to address these evidence gaps and facilitate translation of cannabinoid research into approved cancer therapeutics.

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