The 12 Pathways of Cancer — and How Plants & Fungi Interact With Them

In 2022, the British Journal of Cancer published a comprehensive review titled Cannabinoids as Anticancer Drugs. The authors examined decades of preclinical research on cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

Their conclusion was simple and important.

Cannabinoids interact with multiple biological pathways involved in cancer progression. They influence cell survival, inflammation, angiogenesis, immune signaling, oxidative stress, and metastasis.

They also made one thing clear. Cancer is not a single pathway disease. It is a systems disease. That is why single target drugs often fail, and why compounds that influence many pathways at once continue to show promise in early research.

This is where plant and fungi medicine belongs in the conversation.

The 12 Biological Pathways Cancer Disrupts

1. Chronic Inflammation

Cancer thrives in an inflammatory environment.

• Cannabis modulates inflammatory signaling through the endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6.
• Adaptogens like turmeric, frankincense, and ashwagandha calm NF-κB signaling.
• Medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Turkey Tail help regulate inflammatory immune responses rather than suppress them.

This matters because inflammation fuels tumor growth, mutation, and immune exhaustion.

2. Oxidative Stress & DNA Damage

Excess oxidative stress damages DNA and accelerates cancer development.

• Cannabinoids act as antioxidants and regulate mitochondrial stress responses.
• Adaptogens improve cellular resilience to oxidative injury.
• Fungi contain polysaccharides and phenolic compounds that protect cells from oxidative damage while supporting repair mechanisms.

This is protection at the cellular level.

3. Dysregulated Cell Death (Apoptosis)

Cancer cells avoid programmed cell death.

• THC has been shown in preclinical studies to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
• Adaptogens help restore normal stress signaling that tells damaged cells when to shut down.
• Medicinal mushrooms activate apoptosis through immune-mediated pathways.

Cancer survives by refusing to die. These compounds help restore that signal.

4. Uncontrolled Cell Proliferation

Cancer cells divide endlessly.

• Cannabinoids interfere with growth signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK.
• Adaptogens slow abnormal proliferation by regulating cortisol and growth-factor signaling.
• Medicinal mushrooms help normalize cell-cycle regulation.

This is easing off the gas, not slamming on the brakes.

5. Angiogenesis (Tumor Blood Supply)

Tumors create their own blood supply.

• Cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit VEGF signaling, which tumors use to grow new blood vessels.
• Adaptogens reduce hypoxia-driven angiogenic signals.
• Medicinal mushrooms support healthy vascular signaling without feeding tumor growth.

Without blood supply, tumors struggle to expand.

6. Immune Evasion

Cancer hides from the immune system.

• Cannabis modulates immune signaling through CB2 receptors, helping recalibrate immune surveillance.
• Adaptogens support immune balance rather than overstimulation.
• Medicinal mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Maitake enhance innate and adaptive immune recognition of abnormal cells.

This is immune balance, not immune suppression.

7. Tumor-Promoting Microenvironment

Cancer alters its surroundings to survive.

• Cannabinoids reduce inflammatory signaling within the tumor microenvironment.
• Adaptogens stabilize stress hormones that influence tumor behavior.
• Fungi improve communication between immune cells and surrounding tissue.

Cancer depends on a corrupted environment.

8. Metastasis

Cancer spreads when cell adhesion and signaling break down.

• Cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit migration and invasion pathways in cancer cells.
• Adaptogens stabilize extracellular matrix signaling.
• Medicinal mushrooms reduce enzymes that allow cancer cells to break through tissue barriers.

Stopping spread is as important as shrinking tumors.

9. Hormonal Dysregulation

Many cancers are hormone driven.

• Cannabis interacts with estrogen, androgen, and cortisol signaling indirectly through the ECS.
• Adaptogens like ashwagandha and holy basil normalize hormonal stress responses.
• Fungi support liver detox pathways that clear excess hormones.

Hormones do not cause cancer alone, but imbalance fuels it.

10. Metabolic Dysfunction

Cancer cells rely on altered glucose metabolism.

• Cannabinoids influence insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial metabolism.
• Adaptogens support metabolic flexibility.
• Medicinal mushrooms improve glucose regulation and mitochondrial efficiency.

Cancer feeds on metabolic chaos.

11. Nervous System Stress Signaling

Chronic stress accelerates disease.

• Cannabis directly regulates the nervous system and stress response.
• Adaptogens increase resilience to chronic stress.
• Medicinal mushrooms support neuroimmune communication.

The body cannot heal when it’s in constant fight or flight.

12. Endocannabinoid System Dysregulation

This is the master regulatory system.

• Cancer disrupts ECS signaling.
• Cannabis replenishes deficient endocannabinoids.
• Adaptogens and fungi support ECS tone indirectly through immune and nervous system balance.

This is whole system medicine, not symptom management.

A Systems-Based View of Cancer Support

Whether you choose conventional cancer treatment, a complementary approach, or a combination of both, supporting the body’s biology matters.

Cancer does not develop in isolation, and it does not resolve through a single pathway. It emerges when regulatory systems break down and communication between cells, the immune system, metabolism, and the nervous system is lost.

Cannabis, adaptogens, and medicinal mushrooms do not work by “chasing” cancer. They work by restoring signaling, resilience, and balance across the very pathways cancer disrupts.

This is about supporting the body so it can respond more intelligently, tolerate stress more effectively, and re-engage its own innate mechanisms of repair and regulation.

When the systems that govern inflammation, immunity, metabolism, and cellular communication are supported, the body is given back something it often loses during disease: its ability to self-regulate.

 

 

About Angela Ardolino

Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.

Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.