Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Generated by Low Density Neutrophils Obtained from Peritoneal Lavage Fluid Mediate Tumor Cell Growth and Attachment
08:59

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Generated by Low Density Neutrophils Obtained from Peritoneal Lavage Fluid Mediate Tumor Cell Growth and Attachment

Published on: August 3, 2018

8.9K

Neutrophil extracellular traps and cannabinoids: potential in cancer metastasis

Izabela Krauze1,2, Beata Greb-Markiewicz2, Anna Kłopot1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

Frontiers in Oncology
|July 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) show promise in inhibiting NETosis, a process that can drive cancer metastasis. This research explores their potential to limit cancer spread and improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cancer is a leading cause of death, with metastasis responsible for 90% of fatalities.
  • Lung and breast cancers commonly metastasize to organs like the lungs, liver, and brain.
  • NETosis, a neutrophil process, can paradoxically promote cancer metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in cancer.
  • To explore the potential of phytocannabinoids and ECS to inhibit NETosis and cancer metastasis.
  • To provide insights into novel therapeutic strategies for limiting cancer metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review consolidating current research on phytocannabinoids, ECS, NETosis, and cancer metastasis.
  • Analysis of preliminary studies on phytocannabinoid effects on neutrophil function and NETosis.
  • Exploration of the role of ECS in regulating NETosis in cancer contexts.

Main Results:

  • Phytocannabinoids, derived from Cannabis sativa, and the ECS show therapeutic potential.
  • Preliminary data suggest phytocannabinoids can inhibit NET release in various disease models.
  • The precise mechanisms of phytocannabinoids on neutrophil functions and NETosis in cancer require further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Phytocannabinoids and the ECS may offer a promising therapeutic avenue to inhibit cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting NETosis with phytocannabinoids could be a novel strategy to combat cancer progression.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of phytocannabinoids and ECS in cancer metastasis.
Keywords:
NEtosiscancer metastasisendocannabinoid systemneutrophilsphytocannabinoids

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Imaging in Human and Mouse Tissues07:36

Author Spotlight: Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Imaging in Human and Mouse Tissues

Published on: August 18, 2023

7.6K
Real-Time, High-Throughput Microscopic Quantification of Human Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Release and Assessing the Pharmacology of Antagonists11:32

Real-Time, High-Throughput Microscopic Quantification of Human Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Release and Assessing the Pharmacology of Antagonists

Published on: October 18, 2024

728

Related Concept Videos

Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.7K
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,...
371
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K
Selectins01:25

Selectins

Cell adhesion is  an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain,...
3.4K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
2.4K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K