Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.9K

Molecular Mechanism of Cannabinoids in Cancer Progression

Cristina Pagano1, Giovanna Navarra1, Laura Coppola1

  • 1Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cannabinoids, compounds interacting with receptors, show anticancer effects by modulating cancer progression pathways. Their efficacy varies by tumor type and interaction with the endocannabinoid system.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Oncology
  • Endocannabinoid System Research

Background:

  • Cannabinoids are diverse compounds impacting physiological functions via receptor interactions.
  • Their anticancer properties are linked to modulating cancer progression pathways.
  • Tumor type and endocannabinoid system interactions influence cannabinoid effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of cannabinoid action in cancer.
  • To explore cannabinoid effects on cancer proliferation, neovascularization, migration, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on cannabinoids and cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways modulated by cannabinoids in cancer progression.
  • Examination of the role of the endocannabinoid system.

Main Results:

  • Cannabinoids modulate key signaling pathways crucial for cancer development.
  • Specific cannabinoids exhibit distinct effects based on tumor type.
  • Endocannabinoid system components are targets for cannabinoid-based cancer therapies.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids offer a promising therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
  • Understanding cannabinoid-on-endocannabinoid system interactions is vital for targeted therapies.
  • Further research into cannabinoid mechanisms can optimize cancer treatment strategies.
Keywords:
angiogenesiscancercannabinoidscell deathmigration

More Related Videos

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies05:25

Tobacco Hornworm as an Insect Model System for Cannabinoid Pre-clinical Studies

Published on: December 29, 2021

2.7K
Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA04:12

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA

Published on: December 19, 2019

14.8K

Related Concept Videos

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids01:21

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
471
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.8K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
6.1K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.0K
Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway02:54

Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
9.5K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
7.3K