Antitumorigenic effects of cannabinoids beyond apoptosis.
According to the World Health Organization, the cases of death caused by cancer will have been doubled until the year 2030. By 2010, cancer is expected to be the number one cause of death. Therefore, it is necessary to explore novel approaches for the treatment of cancer. Over past years, the antitumorigenic effects of cannabinoids have emerged as an exciting field in cancer research. Apart from their proapoptotic and antiproliferative action, recent research has shown that cannabinoids may likewise affect tumor cell angiogenesis, migration, invasion, adhesion, and metastasization. This review will summarize the data concerning the influence of cannabinoids on these locomotive processes beyond modulation of cancer cell apoptosis and proliferation. The findings discussed here provide a new perspective on the antitumorigenic potential of cannabinoids.
Freimuth
Nadine
N
Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Ramer
Robert
R
Hinz
Burkhard
B
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000517:prevention & control; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002186:Cannabinoids