Cannabidiol Antiproliferative Effect in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells Is Modulated by Its Physical State and by IGF-1

Cannabinoids and triple-negative breast cancer treatment

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for about 10-20% of all breast cancer cases and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Until recently, treatment options for TNBC were limited to chemotherapy. A new successful systemic treatment is immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, but new tumor-specific biomarkers are needed to improve patient outcomes. Cannabinoids show antitumor activity in most preclinical studies in TNBC models and do not appear to have adverse effects on chemotherapy. Clinical data are needed to evaluate efficacy and safety in humans. Importantly, the endocannabinoid system is linked to the immune system and immunosuppression. Therefore, cannabinoid receptors could be a potential biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy or a novel mechanism to reverse resistance to immunotherapy. In this article, we provide an overview of the currently available information on how cannabinoids may influence standard therapy in TNBC.

Identification of Genes Hub Associated with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Cannabidiol Analogs Potential Inhibitory Agents: An In-silico Study

OBJECTIVE

Triple-negative breast cancer presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its complex treatment and aggressive nature. This subtype lacks common cancer cell receptors like estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 receptors. This study aimed to identify, through bioinformatic analysis, the key genes associated with triple-negative breast cancer. In addition, CBD analogs with potential inhibitory effects on these genes were evaluated through docking and molecular dynamics.

METHODS

Gene expression profiles from the GSE178748 dataset were analyzed, focusing on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Differentially expressed genes were determined through protein-protein interaction networks and subsequently validated. Additionally, the inhibitory effects of cannabidiol analogs on these hub genes were assessed using molecular docking and dynamics.

RESULTS

 Analysis of the hub highlighted RPL7A, NHP2L1, and PSMD11 as significant players in TNBC regulation. Ligand 44409296 showed the best affinity energy with RPL7A, while 166505341 exhibited the highest affinity with NHP2L1 and PSMD11, surpassing CBD. Analyses of RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and Gyration Radius indicated structural stability and interactions of the proteins with ligands over time. MMGBSA calculations showed favorable binding energies for the ligands with the target proteins.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study identified key genes, namely RPL7A, NHP2L1, and PSMD11, associated with triple-negative breast cancer and demonstrated promising interactions with cannabidiol analogs, particularly 44409296 and 166505341. These findings suggest potential therapeutic targets and highlight the relevance of further clinical investigations. Additionally, the ligands exhibited favorable ADME properties and low toxicity, underscoring their potential in future drug development for TNBC treatment.

A new advanced cellular model of functional cholinergic-like neurons developed by reprogramming the human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line

Modeling human neuronal properties in physiological and pathological conditions is essential to identify novel potential drugs and to explore pathological mechanisms of neurological diseases. For this purpose, we generated a three-dimensional (3D) neuronal culture, by employing the readily available human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, and a new differentiation protocol. The entire differentiation process occurred in a matrix and lasted 47 days, with 7 days of pre-differentiation phase and 40 days of differentiation, and allowed the development of a 3D culture in conditions consistent with the physiological environment. Neurons in the culture were electrically active, were able to establish functional networks, and showed features of cholinergic neurons. Hence here we provide an easily accessible, reproducible, and suitable culture method that might empower studies on synaptic function, vesicle trafficking, and metabolism, which sustain neuronal activity and cerebral circuits. Moreover, this novel differentiation protocol could represent a promising cellular tool to study physiological cellular processes, such as migration, differentiation, maturation, and to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Cell death induction and intracellular vesicle formation in human colorectal cancer cells treated with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol

BACKGROUND

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is a principal psychoactive extract of Cannabis sativa and has been traditionally used as palliative medicine for neuropathic pain. Cannabidiol (CBD), an extract of hemp species, has recently attracted increased attention as a cancer treatment, but Δ9-THC is also requiring explored pharmacological application.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the pharmacological effects of Δ9-THC in two human colorectal cancer cell lines. We investigated whether Δ9-THC treatment induces cell death in human colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS

We performed an MTT assay to determine the pharmacological concentration of Δ9-THC. Annxein V and Western blot analysis confirmed that Δ9-THC induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Metabolic activity was evaluated using MitoTracker staining and ATP determination. We investigated vesicle formation by Δ9-THC treatment using GW9662, known as a PPARγ inhibitor.

RESULTS

The MTT assay showed that treatment with 40 μM Δ9-THC and above inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Multiple intracytoplasmic vesicles were detected upon microscopic observation, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed cell death via G1 arrest. Δ9-THC treatment increased the expression of cell death marker proteins, including p53, cleaved PARP-1, RIP1, and RIP3, suggesting that Δ9-THC induced the death of colorectal cancer cells. Δ9-THC treatment also reduced ATP production via changes in Bax and Bcl-2. Δ9-THC regulated intracytoplasmic vesicle formation by modulating the expression of PPARγ and clathrin, adding that antiproliferative activity of Δ9-THC was also affected.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Δ9-THC regulated two functional mechanisms, intracellular vesicle formation and cell death. These findings can help to determine how cannabinoids can be used most effectively to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment.

In Situ Gelling Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Formulation Comprising Cannabidiol-Loaded Block Copolymer Micelles for Sustained Drug Delivery

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural terpenophenolic compound with known pharmacological activities, but the poor solubility of CBD in water limits its widespread use in medicine and pharmacy. Polymeric (nano)carriers demonstrated high potential for enhancing the solubility and therapeutic activity of lipophilic drugs such as CBD. Here, we report the elaboration of a novel hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)-based in situ gelling formulation for controlled delivery of CBD. In the first stage, nanosized polymeric micelles from poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(α-cinnamyl-ε-caprolactone-co-ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-P(CyCL-co-CL) diblock copolymers) were used to increase the solubility of CBD in water. Different copolymers were assessed, and the carrier with the highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading capacity (DLC) was selected for further elaboration of nanocomposite in situ gel formulations. Next, the sol-to-gel transition behavior of HPC as a function of K2SO4 concentration in the aqueous solution was investigated by microcalorimetry and dynamic oscillatory rheology, and the optimal formulation capable of forming a physical gel under physiological conditions was determined. Finally, injectable nanocomposite hydrogels comprising cannabidiol were fabricated, and their drug release profile and cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines were evaluated. The in situ gels exhibited prolonged drug release over 12 h, controlled by gel erosion, and the cytotoxicity of formulated cannabidiol was comparable with that of a free drug.

Rimonabant and Cannabidiol Rewrite the Interactions between Breast Cancer Cells and Tumor Microenvironment

The spread of breast cancer to distant sites is the major cause of death in breast cancer patients. Increasing evidence supports the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancers, and its pathologic assessment has become a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. In the TME, a bidirectional interplay between tumor and stromal cells occurs, both at the primary and metastatic site. Hundreds of molecules, including cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, contribute to this fine interaction to promote tumor spreading. Here, we investigated the effects of Rimonabant and Cannabidiol, known for their antitumor activity, on reprogramming the breast TME. Both compounds directly affect the activity of several pathways involved in breast cancer progression. To mimic tumor-stroma interactions during breast-to-lung metastasis, we investigated the effect of the compounds on growth factor secretion from metastatic breast cancer cells and normal and activated lung fibroblasts. In this setting, we demonstrated the anti-metastatic potential of the two compounds, and the membrane array analyses highlighted their ability to alter the release of factors involved in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune reprogramming. The results enforce the antitumor potential of Rimonabant and Cannabidiol, providing a novel potential tool for breast cancer TME management.

Exosomal delivery of cannabinoids against cancer

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) originating from endosomes that play a role in cellular communication. These vesicles which mimic the parental cells that release them are promising candidates for targeted drug delivery and therapeutic applications against cancer because of their favorable biocompatibility, specific targeting, low toxicity, and immunogenicity. Currently, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids (e.g., CBG, THCV, CBC), are being explored for their anticancer and anti-proliferative properties. Several mechanisms, including cell cycle arrest, proliferation inhibition, activation of autophagy and apoptosis, inhibition of adhesion, metastasis, and angiogenesis have been proposed for their anticancer activity. EVs could be engineered as cannabinoid delivery systems for tumor-specificity leading to superior anticancer effects. This review discusses current techniques for EV isolation from various sources, characterization and strategies to load them with cannabinoids. More extensively, we culminate information available on different sources of EVs that have anticancer activity, mechanism of action of cannabinoids against various wild type and resistant tumors and role of CBD in histone modifications and cancer epigenetics. We have also enumerated the role of EVs containing cannabinoids against various tumors and in chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain.