The intersection between cannabis and cancer in the United States.
In the last 15 years there has been a major shift in the laws governing medical use of cannabis in the United States. Corresponding with this change there has been escalating interest in the role that cannabis, commonly referred to as marijuana, and cannabinoids play in the care of patients with cancer. This review will examine cannabis' and cannabinoids' current and potential roles in cancer care. Specifically, we will examine five areas of cannabis medicine: (1) pharmacologic properties of cannabis; (2) its potential role in the development of human cancers, particularly smoking-related malignancies; (3) cannabinoids' potential as anti-cancer therapies; (4) cannabis and cannabinoids in the palliation of common cancer-associated symptoms; (5) current legal status of cannabis for medical purposes in the United States.
Developmental Therapeutics Program, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. daniel.bowles@ucdenver.edu
Daniel W
DW
Bowles
Cindy L
CL
O'Bryant
D Ross
DR
Camidge
Antonio
A
Jimeno
D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014481:United States
D002186:Cannabinoids