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Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Review Article

Endocannabinoid System: A Promising Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Haematological Malignancies?

Author(s): Constantinos Giaginis, Eleftheria Lakiotaki, Penelope Korkolopoulou, Konstantinos Konstantopoulos, Efstratios Patsouris and Stamatios Theocharis

Volume 23, Issue 22, 2016

Page: [2350 - 2362] Pages: 13

DOI: 10.2174/0929867323666160530144934

Price: $65

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.

Keywords: Cannabinoids, Cannabinoid receptors, Endocannabinoid system, Haematological malignancies, Leukemia, Lymphoma.


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