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Review
. 2014 Aug 15;5(15):5852-72.
doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.2233.

Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in cancer: current status and future implications

Bandana Chakravarti  1 , Janani Ravi  2 , Ramesh K Ganju  3
Affiliations
Review

Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents in cancer: current status and future implications

Bandana Chakravarti et al. Oncotarget. .

Abstract

The pharmacological importance of cannabinoids has been in study for several years. Cannabinoids comprise of (a) the active compounds of the Cannabis sativa plant, (b) endogenous as well as (c) synthetic cannabinoids. Though cannabinoids are clinically used for anti-palliative effects, recent studies open a promising possibility as anti-cancer agents. They have been shown to possess anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects in vitro as well as in vivo in different cancer models. Cannabinoids regulate key cell signaling pathways that are involved in cell survival, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, etc. There is more focus on CB1 and CB2, the two cannabinoid receptors which are activated by most of the cannabinoids. In this review article, we will focus on a broad range of cannabinoids, their receptor dependent and receptor independent functional roles against various cancer types with respect to growth, metastasis, energy metabolism, immune environment, stemness and future perspectives in exploring new possible therapeutic opportunities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors disclose no competing interests.

Figures

Fig.1
Fig.1. Cannabinoids and their classification
This figure illustrates how cannabinoids are divided into three main categories according to their availability in nature.
Fig.2
Fig.2. Cannabinoid mediated signaling in cancer cells
Cannabinoids activate CB1 or CB2 receptor which in turn modulates diverse signaling targets.
Fig.3
Fig.3. Modulatory effect of cannabinoids on hormone sensitive breast cancer cells
Cannabinoids are involved in receptor dependent/independent regulation of various hallmarks of breast cancer like proliferation, migration, invasion, etc.
Fig.4
Fig.4. Modulatory effect of cannabinoids on HER-2 +ve and Triple −ve breast cancer cells
Cannabinoids inhibit key signaling targets in triple negative breast cancer which has worse prognosis in patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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