Cannabinoids as Modulators of Cell Death: Clinical Applications and Future Directions.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipids regulating physiological processes via CB1 and CB2 receptors.
• Phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids mimic endocannabinoid effects, showing analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
• Cannabinoids influence cell survival, proliferation, and death, impacting cellular homeostasis, tissue remodeling, and cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties of cannabinoids in inducing cell death.
• To clarify the signaling pathways triggered by cannabinoids in cell death.
• To explore the potential clinical benefits of cannabinoids in cancer therapies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on cannabinoid effects on cell death.
• Analysis of cannabinoid receptor signaling pathways, including classical and alternative routes.
• Examination of evidence for cannabinoid-induced tumor-selective cell death.

Main Results:

• Cannabinoids modulate cell survival, proliferation, and cell death.
• Cannabinoid signaling involves more than the classical adenylyl cyclase/cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway.
• Emerging evidence suggests cannabinoids can limit cell proliferation and induce tumor-selective cell death.

Conclusions:

• Cannabinoids play a role in regulating cellular homeostasis.
• The diverse signaling pathways modulated by cannabinoids offer opportunities for targeted therapeutic development.
• Cannabinoids present a promising novel strategy for cancer treatment due to their ability to induce tumor-selective cell death.