Science & Health

Researchers say cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound in marijuana, shows multi-targeted anti-cancer effects and may suppress growth and spread of several aggressive cancers.

Published 

on January 22, 2026

By Ahmed Rasfian

cientists found was that CBD doesn’t seem to target just one of these systems and instead nudges several of them at once, pushing cancer cells toward collapse through overlapping and complementary effects.

In colon cancer models, for example, CBD interferes with a receptor called GPR55, which helps tumors grow and migrate. Blocking that receptor weakens a pathway cancer cells rely on to divide quickly, and in some cases makes tumors more responsive to chemotherapy. Other experiments show CBD dialing down genes linked to aggressive growth while switching on stress-related pathways that slow things down.

Lung and breast cancers appear to respond in related but slightly different ways. In non-small cell lung cancer, combinations of CBD and THC reduce tumor growth by interfering with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the process that allows cancer cells to spread. In breast cancer models, CBD has been shown to stop cells mid-cycle, trigger programmed cell death and activate autophagy, the cell’s internal recycling system turned destructive.

“Cannabidiol (CBD), which is FDA-approved and generally well-tolerated, shows promising anti-tumor effects by slowing cancer growth, reducing metastasis, and inhibiting angiogenesis, while also easing cancer-related symptoms like pain and nausea.”

However, there are practical challenges. CBD is poorly absorbed when taken orally and is heavily metabolized, meaning only a small portion may reach tumor tissue. To address this, researchers are investigating nanoparticle-based delivery systems that could improve absorption, precisely target tumors, and reduce side effects.

Looking ahead, experts say progress will require careful, methodical research. Advanced tools like single-cell sequencing could help reveal how different tumor populations respond to CBD. Well-designed clinical trials will be crucial to determine whether the promising lab results translate into real benefits for patients, particularly when CBD is used alongside standard cancer treatments.

The study’s authors, affiliated with medical schools across China, stressed the importance of further research into CBD’s anti-tumor potential.

“Future trials must stratify patients by tumor type and molecular markers to establish correlations between dosing, timing, and efficacy,” they wrote. The paper, which has not been peer-reviewed, was published in the December 2025 issue of the journal Phytomedicine.

This latest study builds on a growing body of research highlighting CBD’s therapeutic potential. In 2025, for instance, a paper in Pharmacology & Therapeutics reviewed clinical and preclinical evidence suggesting that medical marijuana may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Shows Promise as Anti-Cancer Agent, New Review Finds

A new scientific review suggests that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound found in marijuana, “holds substantial promise as an anti-tumor agent” alongside its well-known anti-inflammatory benefits.

Researchers examined CBD’s effects on multiple types of cancer—including some of the most aggressive, such as glioblastoma, which affects the brain. They also noted that CBD may help suppress the growth and spread of other cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

“CBD exhibits multi-targeted anti-tumor effects by disrupting key cancer hallmarks,” the review found.

The paper, funded by the National Natural Science Fund of China, systematically analyzed prior studies assessing CBD’s cancer-fighting properties. Scientists focused on how cancer cells survive by hijacking normal biological signals, such as growth cues, stress responses, and immune pathways. They found that CBD does not target just one system but appears to nudge several simultaneously, pushing cancer cells toward collapse through overlapping and complementary mechanisms.

For example, in colon cancer models, CBD interacts with a receptor called GPR55, which promotes tumor growth and migration. Blocking this receptor weakens a pathway that cancer cells rely on to divide quickly, and in some cases, makes tumors more responsive to chemotherapy. Other experiments show CBD turning down genes linked to aggressive growth while activating stress-related pathways that slow tumor progression.

Lung and breast cancers appear to respond in related but distinct ways. In non-small cell lung cancer, combinations of CBD and THC reduce tumor growth by interfering with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a process that allows cancer cells to spread. In breast cancer models, CBD has been shown to stop cells mid-cycle, trigger programmed cell death, and activate autophagy, the cell’s internal recycling system turned destructive.

“Cannabidiol (CBD), an FDA-approved and well-tolerated compound, demonstrates promising antitumor effects by inhibiting cancer growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis, while also alleviating cancer-related symptoms such as pain and nausea,” the review stated.

However, practical challenges remain. CBD is poorly absorbed when taken orally and heavily metabolized, meaning only a fraction may reach tumor tissue. To address this, researchers are exploring nanoparticle-based delivery systems to improve absorption, target tumors more precisely, and reduce side effects.

Looking ahead, the authors emphasized the need for careful, methodical research. Tools like single-cell sequencing could clarify how different tumor populations respond to CBD. Well-designed clinical trials will be essential to determine whether the lab findings translate into patient benefits, particularly when CBD is used alongside standard treatments.

The study’s authors, affiliated with medical schools across China, noted the importance of further investigating CBD’s anti-tumor potential. “Future trials must stratify patients by tumor type and molecular markers to establish correlations between dosing, timing, and efficacy,” they wrote. The paper, which was not peer-reviewed, appeared in the December 2025 issue of Phytomedicine.

This study follows a series of encouraging findings regarding CBD’s medicinal properties. In 2025, for example, research published in Pharmacology & Therapeutics suggested that medical marijuana could enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.

Reflecting broader acceptance of medical cannabis, President Donald Trump’s choice for the next White House drug czar described medical marijuana as a “fantastic” treatment for seriously ill patients and expressed no objection to legalization, even if she may not personally support it.

Additionally, a study last year found that cancer patients using cannabis reported significant improvements in cancer-related symptoms.

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