The role of cannabinoids in the treatment of cancer
- 01Cannabinoids may trigger cancer cell death by stimulating autophagy and ceramide accumulation
- 02These substances can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, invasiveness, and the formation of metastases
- 03Current clinical use focuses on managing symptoms like pain, nausea, and loss of appetite
- 04Most existing evidence comes from cell cultures and animal models rather than human trials
Cannabinoids show potential for inhibiting cancer growth in lab settings, but more clinical research is required to establish their therapeutic role.
Aim: The aim of this review article is to summarize current knowledge about the role of cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors in tumor disease modulation and to evaluate comprehensively the use of cannabinoids in cancer patients.
Method: According to the PRISMA protocol, we have included data from a total of 105 articles.
Results: Cannabinoids affect cancer progression by three mechanisms. The most important mechanism is the stimulation of autophagy and affecting the signaling pathways leading to apoptosis. The most important mechanism of this process is the accumulation of ceramide. Cannabinoids also stimulate apoptosis by mechanisms independent of autophagy. Other mechanisms by which cannabinoids affect tumor growth are inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis, and the modulation of the anti-tumor immune response.
Conclusion: In addition to the symptomatic therapy of cancer patients, the antitumor effects of cannabinoids (whether in monotherapy or in combination with other cancer therapies) have promising potential in the treatment of cancer patients. More clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the antitumor effect of cannabinoids (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 167).
- APA
- L Vecera, T Gabrhelik, P Prasil, & P Stourac (2020). The role of cannabinoids in the treatment of cancer. https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-role-of-cannabinoids-in-the-treatment-of-cancer/
- MLA
- L Vecera, et al. "The role of cannabinoids in the treatment of cancer." 2020, https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-role-of-cannabinoids-in-the-treatment-of-cancer/.
- Chicago
- L Vecera et al. 2020. "The role of cannabinoids in the treatment of cancer.". https://fasciaresearchdatabase.com/the-role-of-cannabinoids-in-the-treatment-of-cancer/
- Ep. —Podcast Recommendations: One Idea Gives Birth to Another.
Människan & maskinen and Myter & mysterier Per Johansson and Eric Schüldt have together created several podcast series that explore human nature, technological development, and ex…
- Ep. 01717. Fascia forces us to rethink
Recent years of research in general, and research on fascia in particular, opens up a new understanding of how the body works and provides completely new explanations for diseases…