title: The endocannabinoid signaling system in cancer.
abstract: Changes in lipid metabolism are intimately related to cancer. Several classes of bioactive lipids play roles in the regulation of signaling pathways involved in neoplastic transformation and tumor growth and progression. The endocannabinoid system, comprising lipid-derived endocannabinoids, their G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and the enzymes for their metabolism, is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in cancer. This report highlights the main signaling pathways for the antitumor effects of the endocannabinoid system in cancer and its basic role in cancer pathogenesis, and discusses the alternative view of cannabinoid receptors as tumor promoters. We focus on new players in the antitumor action of the endocannabinoid system and on emerging crosstalk among cannabinoid receptors and other membrane or nuclear receptors involved in cancer. We also discuss the enzyme MAGL, a key player in endocannabinoid metabolism that was recently recognized as a marker of tumor lipogenic phenotype.
authors.affiliation: Endocannabinoid Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. spisanti@unisa.it
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pisanti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Picardi
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laezza
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bifulco
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids