The Endocannabinoid System: A Target for Cancer Treatment
Chiara Laezza, Cristina Pagano, Giovanna Navarra, Olga Pastorino, Maria Proto, Donatella Fiore, Chiara Piscopo, Patrizia Gazzerro, Maurizio Bifulco
Abstract
In recent years, the endocannabinoid system has received great interest as a potential therapeutic target in numerous pathological conditions. Cannabinoids have shown an anticancer potential by modulating several pathways involved in cell growth, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis. However, the therapeutic efficacy of cannabinoids is limited to the treatment of chemotherapy-induced symptoms or cancer pain, but their use as anticancer drugs in chemotherapeutic protocols requires further investigation. In this paper, we reviewed the role of cannabinoids in the modulation of signaling mechanisms implicated in tumor progression.