Groundbreaking 10,000-Study Review Focuses on Medical Cannabis Related to Cancer Care, With New Platform Also Gathering Data on Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs)
On Tuesday, April 15, Frontiers in Oncology published the largest meta-analysis ever conducted on medical cannabis and its effects on cancer-related symptoms—a groundbreaking scientific achievement. Led by Cancer Playbook, powered by Whole Health Oncology Institute (WHOI), this systematic research review aggregated data from over 10,000 peer-reviewed studies—a scale never before achieved in this field, and over ten times the number included in the next-largest review.
Despite the decades-long lack of consensus regarding the efficiency of cannabis in treating cancer symptoms, the meta-analysis showed that for every one study that showed cannabis was ineffective, there were three that showed it worked. That 3:1 ratio—especially in a field as rigorous as biomedical research—isn’t just unusual, it’s extraordinary. The level of consensus found here rivals or exceeds that for many FDA-approved medications.
“We expected controversy. What we found was overwhelming scientific consensus,” said Ryan Castle, Head of Research at Whole Health Oncology Institute. “This is one of the clearest, most dramatic validations of medical cannabis in cancer care that the scientific community has ever seen.”
Because cannabis remains federally illegal, research efforts have often been blocked from receiving grants. This has left a vacuum in peer-reviewed, large-scale data—which Cancer Playbook has now filled with this independently funded meta-analysis. In the recent DEA hearings regarding the rescheduling of cannabis, Cancer Playbook’s data was an important part of the official scientific evidence presented to the DEA.
Key findings from the meta-analysis:
- Cannabis reduced cancer cell proliferation
- It inhibited metastasis, limiting cancer spread
- It increased apoptosis (natural cancer cell death)
- It has a profound anti-inflammatory effect, a critical factor since inflammation is linked to over 80% of the world’s most debilitating chronic diseases
Though this study is based on peer-reviewed work, Cancer Playbook makes the case that research can only paint part of the picture. By building on a dual foundation of research and patient experience, Cancer Playbook is redefining cancer support. The platform blends cutting-edge research with Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), crowdsourcing real-world data from people living with cancer.
“The science matters. But so does the patient,” said Castle. “We are trying to support whole human beings, and that starts by listening to them.”
The significance of PROs is growing rapidly in modern medicine, as traditional clinical trials measure biological responses but often overlook what the patient is actually going through. PROs fill that gap, turning subjective experiences—like pain, fatigue, or emotional distress—into scientifically valid data. This is especially critical when looking at treatments like cannabis, where personal experience plays such a pivotal role in perceived and measurable benefit.
“Too often, people turn to cannabis as a last resort. We believe it should be part of the conversation from day one,” said Jim Gerencser, Founder of Cancer Playbook. “Refer to us at Cancer Playbook first as you weigh conventional treatment options. Don’t wait until traditional options have been exhausted. Whether or not you choose cannabis, we offer a fuller picture of what’s possible—one rooted in evidence, experience, and a belief that patients should be at the center of their own care. This platform was built for patients, by patients, backed by the best data in the world.”
For more information, please visit cancerplaybook.org.
About Cancer Playbook
Cancer Playbook, powered by Whole Health Oncology Institute, is a pioneering digital platform that blends cutting-edge research with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to empower cancer patients with personalized, evidence-based treatment insights. By crowdsourcing real-world experiences from individuals undergoing treatment and merging that data with peer-reviewed research, Cancer Playbook provides patients with custom "playbooks" designed to support informed decision-making. As the force behind the largest meta-analysis ever conducted on medical cannabis and cancer symptoms—spanning over 10,000 studies—Cancer Playbook is not just collecting data; it’s changing the conversation around integrative oncology and patient autonomy. With a mission to disrupt outdated healthcare models and put actionable insights directly in patients’ hands, Cancer Playbook is redefining what it means to treat the whole human being. For more information, visit cancerplaybook.org.
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Media Contact:
Breanna Lopresti
Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency
Breanna@mygrasslands.com
