Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
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Isolation, Culture, and Characterization of Prostate Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts

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Treatment with Cannabinoids as a Promising Approach for Impairing Fibroblast Activation and Prostate Cancer

Laura Pietrovito1, Marta Iozzo1, Marina Bacci1

  • 1Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cannabinoids show promise against prostate cancer by targeting both cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This study reveals cannabinoids impair CAF activation and migration, crucial for tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer progression involves interactions between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
  • Cannabinoids are investigated for anti-cancer properties, but their effect on stromal cells is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of cannabinoid treatment on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in prostate cancer.
  • To determine if cannabinoids can impair CAF activation, migration, and their contribution to cancer cell invasiveness.

Main Methods:

  • Prostate cancer-derived CAFs were treated with WIN 55-212.2 mesylate, a synthetic cannabinoid agonist.
  • Expression of α-smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloprotease-2 was analyzed.
  • CAF migration and CAF-mediated cancer cell invasiveness were assessed.
  • Selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists (CB1 and CB2) were used to identify the mediating receptor.

Main Results:

  • WIN 55-212.2 mesylate downregulated α-smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloprotease-2 expression in CAFs.
  • Cannabinoid treatment inhibited CAF migration and CAF-mediated cancer cell invasiveness.
  • The anti-CAF effects were primarily mediated by the CB2 receptor.
  • Evidence suggests an endocannabinoid autocrine loop sustaining both tumor cells and CAFs.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids, particularly via CB2 receptor activation, effectively impair prostate cancer-associated fibroblasts.
  • This dual action on cancer and stromal cells supports the potential of cannabinoids as anti-cancer agents in prostate cancer therapy.
Keywords:
WIN 55-212.2 mesylatecancer-associated fibroblastscannabidiolendocannabinoidsprostate cancer

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