Abstract
Cannabinoids, the active components of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, along with their endogenous counterparts and synthetic derivatives, have elicited anti-cancer effects in many different in vitro and in vivo models of cancer. While the various cannabinoids have been examined in a variety of cancer models, recent studies have focused on the role of cannabinoid receptor agonists (both CB(1) and CB(2)) in the treatment of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. This review will summarize the anti-cancer properties of the cannabinoids, discuss their potential mechanisms of action, as well as explore controversies surrounding the results.
MeSH terms
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology*
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
- Benzoxazines / pharmacology
- Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
- Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
- Cannabinoids / therapeutic use
- Cell Proliferation / drug effects
- Cell Survival / drug effects
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Morpholines / pharmacology
- Naphthalenes / pharmacology
- Neoplasms / drug therapy*
- Neoplasms / metabolism
- Neoplasms / pathology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / agonists
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / metabolism
- Receptors, Estrogen / analysis
- Signal Transduction / drug effects
Substances
- Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
- Benzoxazines
- Cannabinoids
- Morpholines
- Naphthalenes
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
- Receptors, Estrogen
- (3R)-((2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-((4-morpholinyl)methyl)pyrrolo-(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl))methanone
- 1,1-dimethylbutyl-1-deoxy-Delta(9)-THC