title: Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists and antagonists: a patent update.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Modulation of the CB2 receptor is an interesting approach for pain and inflammation, arthritis, addictions, neuroprotection, and cancer, among other possible therapeutic applications, and is devoid of central side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review highlights the novel scaffolds for CB2 ligands and the diverse therapeutic applications for CB2 modulators disclosed in patents published since 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural diversity of CB2 modulator scaffolds characterized the patent literature. Several CB2 agonists reached clinical Phase II for pain management and inflammation. Other therapeutic applications need to be explored such as neuroprotection and/or neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: a Instituto de Química Médica , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: a Instituto de Química Médica , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Folgado
authors.affiliation: a Instituto de Química Médica , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goya
authors.affiliation: a Instituto de Química Médica , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas , Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jagerovic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010330:Patents as Topic; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063387:Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
keywords: Cannabinoid receptor 2; HIV; cancer; endometriosis; inflammation; organ transplant; osteoarthritis; pain