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Anticancer mechanisms of cannabinoids

G Velasco1, C Sánchez2, M Guzmán3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, Complutense University, and Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica, Madrid, Spain;; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Madrid, Spain;; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain;

Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.)
|March 30, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Cannabinoids show promise as anticancer agents by inhibiting tumor growth, proliferation, and metastasis in preclinical models. Further research is exploring their molecular mechanisms and potential in combination cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cannabinoids are recognized for palliative effects on cancer symptoms.
  • Preclinical evidence suggests cannabinoids possess direct antitumour properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of cannabinoids as antitumour agents.
  • To highlight recent discoveries in their molecular mechanisms of action.
  • To discuss resistance mechanisms and combination therapy opportunities.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on cannabinoids and cancer.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying cannabinoid antitumour effects.
  • Examination of preclinical data regarding tumour growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Main Results:

  • Cannabinoids modulate key cell signalling pathways controlling cancer cell proliferation and survival.
  • Cannabinoids inhibit angiogenesis and reduce metastasis in various tumour models.
  • Understanding of resistance mechanisms and potential for combination therapies is advancing.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids demonstrate significant antitumour potential beyond palliative care.
  • Ongoing research into molecular mechanisms supports clinical investigation.
  • Early clinical studies are being developed to assess safety and efficacy of cannabinoids in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Cannabinoidsangiogenesisapoptosisautophagycell proliferationcell signallingcombination therapy

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