title: Cannabinoid-associated cell death mechanisms in tumor models (review).
abstract: In recent years, cannabinoids (the active components of Cannabis sativa)             and their derivatives have received considerable interest due to findings that             they can affect the viability and invasiveness of a variety of different cancer             cells. Moreover, in addition to their inhibitory effects on tumor growth and migration,             angiogenesis and metastasis, the ability of these compounds to induce different             pathways of cell death has been highlighted. Here, we review the most recent results             generating interest in the field of death mechanisms induced by cannabinoids in             cancer cells. In particular, we analyze the pathways triggered by cannabinoids             to induce apoptosis or autophagy and investigate the interplay between the two             processes. Overall, the results reported here suggest that the exploration of             molecular mechanisms induced by cannabinoids in cancer cells can contribute to             the development of safe and effective treatments in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calvaruso
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pellerito
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Notaro
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuliano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002186:Cannabinoids