Antitumorigenic targets of cannabinoids – current status and implications

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Molecular structures of the endocannabinoid system have gained interest as potential pharmacotherapeutical targets for systemic cancer treatment.

Areas covered: The present review covers the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to cancer progression. Particular focus will be set on the accumulating preclinical data concerning antimetastatic, anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic mechanisms induced by cannabinoids.

Expert opinion: The main goal of targeting endocannabinoid structures for systemic anticancer treatment is the comparatively good safety profile of cannabinoid compounds. In addition, antitumorigenic mechanisms of cannabinoids are not restricted to a single molecular cascade but involve multiple effects on various levels of cancer progression such as angiogenesis and metastasis. Particularly the latter effect has gained interest for pharmacological interventions. Thus, drugs aiming at the endocannabinoid system may represent potential ‘antimetastatics’ for an upgrade of a future armamentarium against cancer diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Angiogenesis
• cancer
• cannabinoids
• cannabinoid receptors
• endocannabinoids
• metastasis
• tumor cell invasion

Article highlights

• Cannabinoids may serve as considerable support for chemotherapeutic therapies of malignant tumors.

• Growth inhibition, antiangiogenesis, and suppression of metastasis are the main goals of this substance group.

• In case of CB₁ agonists, psychoactive properties may limit a clinical use. Further probable unwanted side effects may be the progression of fibrosis (CB₁ agonists), tumor-promoting effects on Her2-positive breast cancer cells, obesity-related comorbidities and suppression of antitumor immune responses (CB₂ agonists).

• Preclinical studies emerged CBD as the cannabinoid with the comparatively most promising risk-to-benefit profile.

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Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.