title: Cannabinoids receptor type 2, CB2, expression correlates with human colon cancer progression and predicts patient survival.
abstract: Many studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is altered in different tumor types, including colon cancer. However, little is known about the role of the ECS in tumor progression. Here we report the correlation between CB 2 expression and pathological data in a series of 175 colorectal cancer patients, as well as the response of the HT29 colon cancer-derived cell line upon CB 2 activation. CB 2 mRNA was detected in 28.6% of samples tested. It was more frequent in N+ patients and predicts disease free survival and overall survival in colon cancer. In positive samples, CB 2 was expressed with great intensity in tumor epithelial cells and correlated with tumor growth. Treatment of HT29 with CB 2 agonist revealed membrane loss of E-cadherin and SNAIL1 overexpression. A direct correlation between CB 2 and SNAIL1 expression was also found in human tumors. CB 2 receptor expression is a poor prognostic marker for colon cancer and the activation of this receptor, with non-apoptotic doses of agonists, could be collaborating with disease progression. These results raise the question whether the activation of CB 2 should be considered as anti-tumoral therapy.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Martínez-Martínez
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Gómez
authors: Department of Pathology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Paloma
authors: P
authors: Martín
authors: Department of Neuroimmunology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Sánchez
authors: Department of Neuroimmunology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Román
authors: Department of Pathology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Tejerina
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Félix
authors: F
authors: Bonilla
authors: Department of Neuroimmunology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Antonio García
authors: AG
authors: Merino
authors: Programa de Recerca en Càncer, IMIM-Hospital del Mar, Barcelona.
authors: Antonio García
authors: AG
authors: de Herreros
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Mariano
authors: M
authors: Provencio
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, IIS Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid.
authors: Jose M
authors: JM
authors: García
keywords: CB2; Colorectal cancer; Disease free survival; overall survival; prognosis marker