Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40748522›Full record

SynthesisCurrent oncology reports2025

Indications of Cannabinoids for the Palliation of Cancer-Associated Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ioana Creangă-Murariu, Ioana-Irina Rezuș, Roshanak Karami, Anett Rancz, Ádám Zolcsák, Marie Anne Engh, Mahmoud Obeidat, Bogdan-Ionel Tamba, Péter Hegyi, Stefania Bunduc

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Current oncology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Cannabinoids and opioid consumption in cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ioana Creangă-MurariuCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Ioana-Irina RezușCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Roshanak KaramiCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Anett RanczCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Ádám ZolcsákDepartment of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Marie Anne EnghCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Mahmoud ObeidatCentre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.
Bogdan-Ionel Tamba *Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" Medicine and Pharmacy University, Iași, Romania.
Péter Hegyi *Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary. hegyi2009@gmail.com.
Stefania Bunduc *Centre for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Baross Utca 22, Budapest, 1082, Hungary.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of the reviewAs 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

findingsOverall, 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. 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.

Indexed as

Cancer PainCannabinoidsNeoplasmsPalliative CareHumansQuality of LifeCannabinoidsCancerCBDMarijuanaMeta-analysisPalliative careTHC

Identifiers

PMID40748522
PMCPMC12450232

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.