A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids found that cannabinoid therapy can help reduce pain and improve quality of life in men with prostate cancer, while also showing potential signs of impacting disease activity.
Researchers from Tshwane University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, and the University of Alberta followed 90 men with confirmed prostate cancer over a six-month period. Participants were divided into three groups: those receiving chemotherapy alone, those using cannabinoids alone, and those receiving a combination of both.
The study measured prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, tumor activity through PET/CT scans, and patient-reported outcomes including pain and quality of life at baseline, three months, and six months.
Results showed that both groups using cannabinoids experienced a faster decline in PSA levels compared to the chemotherapy-only group, although final PSA levels were similar across all groups. Imaging results indicated that those receiving both chemotherapy and cannabinoids were more likely to experience tumor reduction or remission.
In terms of patient-reported outcomes, individuals using cannabinoids—either alone or in combination—reported greater reductions in pain and improvements in emotional well-being. Gains were also observed in measures of daily functioning, including self-care and usual activities.
The study’s authors concluded that cannabinoid therapy was associated with meaningful improvements in symptom management and some indicators of tumor response, without evidence of harm. They note that while the findings are promising, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to better understand the role cannabinoids may play as a complementary treatment in prostate cancer care.
The study’s full abstract can be found below:
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabinoids are increasingly used by cancer patients for symptom relief, yet clinical evidence on their effect in prostate cancer remains limited. This study evaluated the association between cannabinoid therapy and disease activity, pain, and quality of life in men with prostate cancer. The objectives were to assess the influence of cannabinoids on PSA levels, metabolic activity, tumour size via PET/CT scans, and patient-reported outcomes including pain levels and quality of life. Methods: Ninety men with confirmed prostate cancer were prospectively followed in three groups: chemotherapy-only, cannabis-only, and combined chemotherapy + cannabis. PSA, PET/CT findings, and patient-reported outcomes (BPI, EQ-5D) were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Longitudinal changes were analysed using linear mixed-effects regression with group × time interactions, and between-group differences were tested with ANOVA. PET/CT categorical outcomes were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression to generate adjusted odds ratios. Results: Significant temporal differences in PSA levels were detected among groups (p < 0.001); both cannabis-containing regimens showed faster PSA decline, but final values were comparable across treatments. PET/CT analyses indicated a higher likelihood of remission or tumour reduction in the combined group (p = 0.013). Cannabis use, alone or combined was associated with greater reductions in pain and improved emotional well-being compared with chemotherapy alone, while improvements in self-care and usual-activity scores were also observed. Conclusion: Cannabinoid therapy, whether used independently or alongside chemotherapy, was associated with improved pain control and some indicators of tumour response, without evidence of harm. The findings warrant cautious interpretation and support further randomized studies to clarify cannabinoids’ adjunctive role in prostate cancer management.
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