title: Endocannabinoid System: A Promising Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Haematological Malignancies?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The therapeutic properties of cannabinoids are well-known since ancient years. Growing evidence exist on endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulation related with human tumorigenesis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Taking into account the substantial role of ECS on immune cell regulation, the present review is aimed to summarize the emerging evidence concerning cannabinoid receptor (CBR) expression and cannabinoid ligand effects on haematological malignancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of cannabinoid actions, mainly CB2R-mediated against haematopoietic malignant cells, seem promising, as inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis and paraptosis induction have been documented. Cannabinoid ligands appear to activate rudimentary pathways for cell survival, such as ERK, JNK, p38 MAPK, and to induce caspase synthesis, in vitro. Such data are strongly recommended to be confirmed by in vivo experiments with emphasis on cannabinoid ligands' bioavailability and phytocannabinoid psychotropic properties. The preliminary antitumoral ECS effects and their relative lack of important side effects render ECS a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of haematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Human Physiology Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of the Aegean Mitropoliti Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Limnos, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giaginis
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lakiotaki
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korkolopoulou
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konstantopoulos
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patsouris
authors.forename: Stamatios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theocharis
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases