Cannabinoids and cancer: pros and cons of an antitumour strategy
Maurizio Bifulco1, Chiara Laezza, Simona Pisanti
1Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, Fisciano 84084, Salerno, Italy. maubiful@unina.it
Abstract:
In the last two decades, research has dramatically increased the knowledge of cannabinoids biology and pharmacology. In mammals, compounds with properties similar to active components of Cannabis sativa, the so called 'endocannabinoids', have been shown to modulate key cell-signalling pathways involved in cancer cell growth, invasion and metastasis. To date, cannabinoids have been licensed for clinical use as palliative treatment of chemotherapy, but increased evidences showed direct antiproliferative actions of cannabinoid agonists on several tumour cells in vitro and in animal models. In this article, we will review the principal molecular pathways modulated by cannabinoids on cancer and summarize pros and cons evidence on the possible future use of endocannabinoid-based drugs in cancer therapy.
Insights
Cannabinoids, compounds found in Cannabis sativa, show potential in cancer therapy by impacting cell growth and metastasis. Research explores their direct antiproliferative effects and future therapeutic applications in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Recent decades show increased understanding of cannabinoid biology and pharmacology.
- Endocannabinoids, similar to Cannabis sativa compounds, modulate cancer cell signaling pathways.
- Cannabinoids are currently used for palliative chemotherapy treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular pathways targeted by cannabinoids in cancer.
- To summarize evidence for and against using endocannabinoid-based drugs in cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on cannabinoids and cancer.
- Analysis of in vitro and animal model studies.
- Examination of clinical evidence for cannabinoid use in cancer.
Main Results:
- Cannabinoids modulate key cell-signaling pathways involved in cancer progression.
- Evidence suggests direct antiproliferative actions of cannabinoid agonists on tumor cells.
- Cannabinoids have shown potential in both in vitro and animal cancer models.
Conclusions:
- Cannabinoids offer a promising area for cancer research and potential therapeutic development.
- Further investigation is needed to fully understand the pros and cons of endocannabinoid-based cancer therapies.
- Targeting molecular pathways with cannabinoids may represent a novel strategy in cancer treatment.
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