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Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
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Cannabinoids and triple-negative breast cancer treatment

Luka Dobovišek1, Simona Borštnar1, Nataša Debeljak2

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Frontiers in Immunology
|August 23, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatments are expanding beyond chemotherapy. Cannabinoids show promise against TNBC and may enhance immunotherapy by targeting cannabinoid receptors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options, primarily chemotherapy.
  • Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors offers a new treatment avenue, but requires better biomarkers.
  • Cannabinoids exhibit preclinical antitumor activity in TNBC models and appear compatible with chemotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current information on how cannabinoids may impact standard triple-negative breast cancer therapies.
  • To explore the potential of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in TNBC immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical studies on cannabinoids in TNBC.
  • Analysis of the link between the endocannabinoid system and immune responses.
  • Evaluation of potential roles for cannabinoid receptors in immunotherapy resistance.

Main Results:

  • Preclinical data suggest cannabinoids possess antitumor effects in TNBC models.
  • Cannabinoids do not seem to cause adverse effects when combined with chemotherapy.
  • The endocannabinoid system's connection to immune suppression suggests potential therapeutic applications.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoids show potential as an adjunct therapy or biomarker in TNBC treatment.
  • Further clinical research is essential to validate the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in human TNBC patients.
  • Targeting cannabinoid receptors may offer a novel strategy to overcome resistance to immunotherapy in TNBC.
Keywords:
cannabinoidschemotherapyendocannabinoid systemimmune checkpoint inhibitorsimmune systemimmunotherapytriple-negative breast cancertumor microenvironment

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