Abstract
Marijuana has been used in medicine for millennia, but it was not until 1964 that Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), its major psychoactive component, was isolated in pure form and its structure was elucidated. Shortly thereafter it was synthesized and became readily available. However, it took another decade until the first report on its antineoplastic activity appeared. In 1975, Munson discovered that cannabinoids suppress Lewis lung carcinoma cell growth. The mechanism of this action was shown to be inhibition of DNA synthesis. Antiproliferative action on some other cancer cells was also found. In spite of the promising results from these early studies, further investigations in this area were not reported until a few years ago, when almost simultaneously two groups initiated research on the antiproliferative effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells: Di Marzos group found that cannabinoids inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, and Guzmans group found that cannabinoids inhibit the growth of C6 glioma cell. Other groups also started work in this field, and today, a wide array of cancer cell lines that are affected is known, and some mechanisms involved have been elucidated.
Keywords: cannabinoid, endocannabinoid, mechanisms, cancer, angiogenesis
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Cannabinoids and Cancer
Volume: 5 Issue: 10
Author(s): Natalya M. Kogan
Affiliation:
Keywords: cannabinoid, endocannabinoid, mechanisms, cancer, angiogenesis
Abstract: Marijuana has been used in medicine for millennia, but it was not until 1964 that Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), its major psychoactive component, was isolated in pure form and its structure was elucidated. Shortly thereafter it was synthesized and became readily available. However, it took another decade until the first report on its antineoplastic activity appeared. In 1975, Munson discovered that cannabinoids suppress Lewis lung carcinoma cell growth. The mechanism of this action was shown to be inhibition of DNA synthesis. Antiproliferative action on some other cancer cells was also found. In spite of the promising results from these early studies, further investigations in this area were not reported until a few years ago, when almost simultaneously two groups initiated research on the antiproliferative effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells: Di Marzos group found that cannabinoids inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation, and Guzmans group found that cannabinoids inhibit the growth of C6 glioma cell. Other groups also started work in this field, and today, a wide array of cancer cell lines that are affected is known, and some mechanisms involved have been elucidated.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kogan M. Natalya, Cannabinoids and Cancer, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2005; 5 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955705774329555
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138955705774329555 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
Natural Products and Dietary Supplements in Alleviation of Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Disorders
Metabolic disorders like diabetes, obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, cancer etc, cardiovascular disorders like angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure etc as well as neurological disorders like Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, Epilepsy, Depression, etc are the global burden. They covered the major segment of the diseases and disorders from which the human community ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Chemosensitization of Prostate Carcinoma Cells with a Receptor-directed Smac Conjugate
Medicinal Chemistry The Role of NF-κB Inhibitors in Cell Response to Radiation
Current Medicinal Chemistry New Platinum and Ruthenium Complexes - the Latest Class of Potential Chemotherapeutic Drugs - a Review of Recent Developments in the Field
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Three Decades of P-gp Inhibitors: Skimming Through Several Generations and Scaffolds
Current Medicinal Chemistry Endogenous Angiogenesis Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents: Historical Perspective and Future Direction
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Is Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 a Suitable Target of Cancer Therapy?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Reversal of Tumor Induced Dendritic Cell Paralysis: A Treatment Regimen Against Cancer
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Reconceptualizing Adult Neurogenesis: Role for Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 in Co-Ordinating Astrocyte-Neuronal Precursor Interactions
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Breast Cancer Resistance Protein: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Cancer
Current Drug Targets Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Resistance to Anti-VEGF Agents
Current Pharmaceutical Design Environmentally Sensitive Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic Contrast Agents for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Histone Demethylase GASC1 in Cancer and its Therapeutic Potential
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Ultrasound and Microbubble Guided Drug Delivery: Mechanistic Understanding and Clinical Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmacodynamics of Memantine: An Update
Current Neuropharmacology Editorial
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Adding to the Mix: Fibroblast Growth Factor and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Pathways as Targets in Non – small Cell Lung Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets The Complex Biology of FOXO
Current Drug Targets Microglia Phenotype Diversity
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Potent Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitors and Their Biology
Current Drug Discovery Technologies