Researchers have published a wide range of studies in 2026 examining cannabis and cannabinoids in relation to cancer, with findings spanning breast cancer, glioblastoma, lung cancer, leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic cancer and numerous other forms of the disease.
The research ranges from laboratory experiments examining how cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG) and other cannabinoids affect cancer cells to animal models, reviews and studies involving people with cancer.
Much of the research remains preclinical, meaning findings in cells or animals should not be interpreted as evidence that cannabis can treat cancer in humans. However, the volume of research illustrates the breadth of ongoing scientific interest in cannabinoids as potential anticancer agents, treatment adjuncts and tools for managing cancer-related symptoms.
As of September 17, The Marijuana Herald has reported on at least 50 cancer-related cannabis and cannabinoid studies published in 2026. The full list is below, with each title linking to our original coverage and, in turn, to the study itself.
Breast Cancer
1. THC-CBD Cannabis Extract Suppresses Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Tumors
Researchers found that a cannabis extract containing THC and CBD inhibited estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, including reductions in tumor growth in preclinical models.
2. CBDA Blocks Enzymes Linked to Aggressive Breast Cancer Cell Movement
Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), the acidic precursor to CBD, inhibited enzymes associated with the movement and invasiveness of aggressive breast cancer cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for limiting cancer spread.
3. CBD May Strengthen the Effects of a Breast Cancer Drug
A study found that CBD enhanced the activity of an established breast cancer treatment in laboratory models, supporting further research into cannabinoids as adjuncts to conventional therapies.
4. CBD Triggers Anticancer Effects in Breast Cancer Cells, Including a Drug-Resistant Line
Researchers found that CBD reduced viability and induced cancer-cell death in breast cancer models, including cells that had developed resistance to conventional treatment.
5. CBD Shows Multi-Target Potential Against Breast Cancer Pathways
Researchers identified several molecular pathways through which CBD may interfere with breast cancer growth and survival, illustrating that its effects may involve multiple biological targets rather than a single mechanism.
6. Exosome-Based Oral CBD Slows Aggressive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
An experimental delivery system using exosomes to administer CBD suppressed the progression of triple-negative breast cancer, one of the more difficult forms of the disease to treat.
7. CBD Triggers Breast Cancer Cell Death Through Multiple Molecular Pathways
Another study found that CBD activated several mechanisms associated with cancer-cell death in breast cancer cells, providing additional evidence of its complex biological activity.
8. CBC and CBD Combination Shrinks Drug-Resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumors
Researchers found that cannabichromene (CBC) combined with CBD reduced drug-resistant triple-negative breast cancer in both laboratory and animal models.
9. Cannabis Extract Triggers Cell Death and Reduces Invasion in Human Breast Cancer Cells
A cannabis extract reduced the viability and invasive behavior of human breast cancer cells while activating mechanisms associated with programmed cell death.
10. CBD Targets HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells
Researchers studying HER2-positive breast cancer found that CBD reduced HER2 protein levels and impaired cancer-cell survival while activating oxidative stress and other cell-death mechanisms.
11. CBD Suppresses the HER2 Breast Cancer Receptor and Increases Cancer Cell Death
A separate 2026 study found that CBD reduced HER2 expression in breast cancer cells and activated cellular stress pathways, including when researchers examined CBD alongside trastuzumab.
12. Low-Dose THC Reduces Breast Cancer Aggressiveness and Improves Tamoxifen Sensitivity
Research published in Communications Biology found that low-dose THC and manipulation of the CB2 receptor reduced aggressive characteristics in breast cancer models while increasing sensitivity to tamoxifen.
Glioblastoma and Other Brain Tumors
13. CBN and CBG With Melatonin Enhance Chemotherapy Against Glioblastoma Cells
Researchers found that cannabinol (CBN) and CBG, when combined with melatonin, enhanced the effects of chemotherapy against glioblastoma cells.
14. CBD and an Anti-Inflammatory Drug Show Potential Against Aggressive Brain Tumors
A combination of CBD and an anti-inflammatory medication showed enhanced activity against high-grade glioma models, suggesting a possible strategy for combining cannabinoids with existing drugs.
15. CBD and THC May Help Inhibit Glioblastoma Progression
Researchers found that CBD and THC affected pathways associated with glioblastoma growth and progression, adding to a growing body of preclinical cannabinoid research involving the aggressive brain cancer.
16. Inhaled CBD Before Tumor Formation Dramatically Reduces Glioblastoma Growth
In a mouse study, researchers found that CBD inhalation before tumor formation significantly reduced subsequent glioblastoma burden and altered several proteins associated with tumor growth, immune evasion and treatment resistance.
17. CBD Suppresses Human Glioma Cell Growth and Invasion
CBD reduced proliferation and invasion in human and mouse glioma cells and also reduced tumor growth in an animal model, with researchers identifying LOXL2 as one molecular pathway involved.
Lung Cancer
18. CBD Shows Potential Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Researchers found that CBD demonstrated anticancer activity against non-small cell lung cancer and investigated its potential interaction with conventional chemotherapy.
19. CBG and CBC Induce Cell Death in Lung Cancer Cells
CBG and CBC both reduced lung cancer cell viability and activated mechanisms associated with programmed cell death in laboratory experiments.
20. New Delivery System Dramatically Boosts CBD Absorption and Shows Anticancer Effects in Lung Cells
Researchers developed a starch-based CBD delivery system that substantially increased absorption while retaining activity against lung cancer cells.
21. CBD and Bevacizumab Combination Reduces Lung Cancer Cell Growth by More Than 50%
Combining CBD with the cancer medication bevacizumab produced substantially greater reductions in lung cancer cell growth than researchers observed with some individual treatments.
Liver, Pancreatic, Bile Duct and Colorectal Cancer
22. CBD Nanoparticles Suppress Liver Tumor Growth
A nanoparticle formulation of CBD inhibited liver tumor growth in preclinical research, demonstrating how alternative delivery methods could potentially improve cannabinoid activity against tumors.
23. CBD, CBG and CBN Suppress Bile Duct Cancer Cells
CBD, CBG and CBN reduced the viability of bile duct cancer cells and triggered processes associated with cell death.
24. Cannabis Stem Extract Shows Anticancer Activity Against Colorectal Cancer Cells
Researchers found that compounds extracted from cannabis stems, a portion of the plant often treated as waste, displayed anticancer activity against colorectal cancer cells.
25. CBG Triggers Multiple Cancer Cell Death Pathways in Pancreatic Tumor Cells
CBG activated several forms of cell death in pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting the cannabinoid may affect the disease through multiple mechanisms simultaneously.
26. CBD and THC May Influence Liver Cancer Pathways Through Ion Channels
A study examining cannabinoid interactions with ion channels identified mechanisms through which compounds including CBD and THC could influence liver cancer biology.
27. CBD and CBG Combined With Sodium Pentaborate Show Anticancer Effects in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Researchers found that combinations involving CBD, CBG and sodium pentaborate reduced proliferation in human colorectal cancer cells, with some combinations displaying synergistic activity.
Leukemia and Lymphoma
28. CBD Shows Antitumor Effects in Burkitt Lymphoma Cells
CBD reduced the viability of Burkitt lymphoma cells and activated biological processes associated with cancer-cell death.
29. CBD May Help Overcome Drug Resistance in Leukemia Cells
Researchers found that CBD affected leukemia cells resistant to imatinib, raising the possibility that cannabinoids could someday be investigated as adjuncts for treatment-resistant disease.
30. CBD Triggers Leukemia Cell Death by Targeting the CD47 and VDAC-1 Pathway
A study involving T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells found that CBD reduced CD47 and induced apoptosis through mechanisms involving VDAC-1. Researchers also reported effects in healthy cells, underscoring the need for additional research.
Melanoma and Skin Cancer
31. Cannabis Extract Reduces UVB-Induced Oxidative Stress in a Melanoma Cell Model
A cannabis-derived extract reduced oxidative stress produced by ultraviolet B exposure in melanoma cells, highlighting possible protective biological effects worthy of additional investigation.
32. CBD and CBG May Protect Skin Cells From UVA-Related Damage
CBD and CBG reduced markers of ultraviolet A-related cellular damage in research involving human skin cells, including melanoma cells.
33. Multiple Cannabis Compounds Target Key Skin Cancer Growth Pathways
Researchers found that several cannabis-derived compounds interacted with pathways involved in skin cancer cell proliferation and survival.
34. CBD Triggers Melanoma Cell Death and Suppresses Spread Through an Epigenetic Pathway
CBD reduced melanoma cell survival and invasiveness through an epigenetic mechanism, providing another potential explanation for previously observed anticancer effects.
Other Cancers
35. CBD Triggers Cell Death and Disrupts Growth in Fibrosarcoma Cells
CBD reduced growth and activated cell-death mechanisms in fibrosarcoma cells, a rare cancer arising in fibrous connective tissue.
36. THC and CBD May Strengthen Cisplatin’s Effects Against Cervical Cancer Cells
Researchers found that THC and CBD enhanced some of cisplatin’s anticancer effects against cervical cancer cells, supporting further investigation of cannabinoid-drug combinations.
37. Cannabinoids and Melatonin May Help Cisplatin Fight Bone Cancer Cells
Researchers examining bone cancer cells found that cannabinoids combined with melatonin could enhance the activity of cisplatin.
38. Cannabinoid Therapy Linked to Reduced Pain and Improved Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Patients
A study involving people with prostate cancer found cannabinoid treatment was associated with improvements in pain and other patient outcomes, providing human data on cannabinoids in cancer care.
39. CBD Kills Rare Ovarian Tumor Cells by Targeting TRPV2 and a Mitochondrial Pathway
Researchers found that CBD induced cell death in a rare ovarian tumor model through mechanisms involving the TRPV2 ion channel and mitochondrial signaling.
40. CBC- and THC-Rich Cannabis Extracts Show Anticancer Activity Against Bladder Tumors
Cannabis extracts rich in CBC and THC displayed anticancer effects in bladder cancer models, including reductions in tumor-cell viability.
41. Review Finds Cannabis Compounds Show Anticancer Effects Against Cervical Cancer Cells
A 2026 review of laboratory research found that cannabinoids and cannabis extracts, including CBD- and THC-containing preparations, repeatedly demonstrated anticancer activity in cervical cancer cell models.
42. CBD Alters Prostate Cancer Cells and Enhances Selected Targeted and Hormonal Treatments
Researchers found that CBD altered molecular and epigenetic activity in human prostate cancer cells and enhanced the effects of certain targeted and hormonal treatments.
43. Cannabis Root-Derived Nanovesicles Suppress Tumor Growth and Restore Immune Responses
Nanovesicles isolated from Cannabis sativa roots suppressed tumor growth and helped restore antitumor immune responses in mice, leading researchers to propose their potential use in cancer immunotherapy.
Cancer Symptoms, Treatment Side Effects and Patient Outcomes
44. Full-Spectrum Cannabis Oil Reduces Anesthetic Needs in Dogs Undergoing Cancer Surgery
Dogs receiving full-spectrum cannabis oil required less anesthetic medication during cancer-related surgery, suggesting cannabinoids could have applications beyond directly targeting tumors.
45. CBD Reduces Chemotherapy-Linked Cognitive Decline
Researchers found that CBD helped protect against cognitive impairment associated with chemotherapy in a preclinical model, adding to research examining cannabinoids for treatment-related side effects.
46. Medical Cannabis Extracts Improve Cancer-Related Symptoms in About Half of Patients
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind trial involving 89 cancer patients, researchers reported clinically meaningful symptom improvement among about half of those receiving medical cannabis extracts, including improvements involving pain, sleep and anxiety.
47. Cannabinoid-Based Regimen Linked to Longer Survival in Advanced Cancer Patients
An exploratory study involving people with advanced solid tumors found higher long-term survival among patients receiving a regimen that included cannabinoids and other compounds. Because the research was not a randomized trial and involved a multi-component treatment, it cannot establish that cannabinoids caused the survival difference.
48. Federally Funded Study Finds Cancer Patients Report Pain, Sleep and Other Benefits From Marijuana
A federally funded study involving adults with cancer found participants reported using marijuana for pain, sleep, relaxation and emotional regulation, while researchers also identified cost, stigma and inconsistent medical guidance as barriers.
49. CBD and CBG Use After Chemotherapy Linked to Lower Neuropathy Risk
A large real-world analysis found that people exposed to CBD or CBG after receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy had a substantially lower subsequent risk of being diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, although the observational design cannot establish causation.
50. Young Adult Cancer Survivors Report Medical Marijuana Helps Manage Symptoms
Interviews with young adult cancer survivors found many viewed medical marijuana as useful for managing cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, while researchers noted continuing gaps in clinical guidance and evidence.
