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ALSalamat HA, Abuarab SF, Salamah HM, Ishqair AH, Dwikat MF, Nourelden AZ, Qandil AN, Barakat Y, Barakat M. Cannabis and cancer: unveiling the potential of a green ally in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. J Cannabis Res 2024; 6:24. [PMID: 38755733 PMCID: PMC11097556 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-024-00233-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer comes in second place on the list of causes of death worldwide. In 2018, the 5-year prevalence of breast cancer (BC), prostate cancer (PC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) were 30%, 12.3%, and 10.9%, respectively. Cannabinoids are chemicals derived from the Cannabis sativa plant; the most investigated cannabinoids are cannabinol, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and cannabidiol. In humans, the endogenous endocannabinoid system consists of endocannabinoids, cannabinoids receptors (CBs), and enzymes that degrade the endocannabinoids. In this review, we will review the most recent literature for evidence that discusses the role of cannabis in the treatment of the three types of neoplasms mentioned. Studies have proved that BC cells express CB receptors; many in-vivo studies showed that cannabinoids cause apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and migration. Also, researchers found that treating BC mice with THC and JWH-133 (CB2 receptor agonist) slowed the tumor growth. Regarding CRC, cannabidiol was found to decrease the viability of chemotherapy-resistant CRC cells and inhibit metastasis by antagonizing the G-protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55; a novel cannabinoid receptor) necessary for metastasis. Moreover, cannabidiol had anti-angiogenetic effects by reducing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in addition to anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, studies demonstrated that PC cells highly express CB1 and CB2 receptors and that cannabinoids are capable of inhibiting the release of exosomes and microvesicles related to cancer progression. Cannabinoids also have antiproliferative, anti-invasive, anti-fibroblastic, cell cycle arrest, and proapoptotic effects on PC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Husam A ALSalamat
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, 19117, Jordan
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy,, University of Jordan, Amman, 19328, Jordan
- International Medical Research Association (IMedRA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara Feras Abuarab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, 541350, Jordan
| | - Hazem Mohamed Salamah
- International Medical Research Association (IMedRA), Cairo, Egypt
- School of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Anas Hasan Ishqair
- International Medical Research Association (IMedRA), Cairo, Egypt
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Fuad Dwikat
- International Medical Research Association (IMedRA), Cairo, Egypt
- Faculty of Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Anas Zakarya Nourelden
- International Medical Research Association (IMedRA), Cairo, Egypt
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aseel N Qandil
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, 19117, Jordan
| | - Yasmeen Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, 541350, Jordan
| | - Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, 541350, Jordan.
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Clinical Research Evidence Supporting Administration and Dosing Recommendations of Medicinal Cannabis as Analgesic in Cancer Patients. J Clin Med 2022; 12:jcm12010307. [PMID: 36615107 PMCID: PMC9821014 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The analgesic potential of Cannabis sativa L.-based medicinal cannabis products for treatment of cancer associated chronic pains has gained increased interest in recent years. To ensure a controlled distribution of these products and investigate their therapeutic potential, several countries have established so-called pilot trials. Many doctors, however, are hesitant to prescribe medicinal cannabis primarily due to lack of research evidence regarding the products' efficacy, safety and thus questionable dosing guidelines. This review aims to elucidate clinical research supporting administration of medicinal cannabis in cancer patients for analgesic purposes. The cannabinoids' effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its implication in pain regulation is included to illustrate the complexity related to this research field. Published clinical studies on medicinal cannabis primarily consist of observational studies and only one pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), where more RCTs exist on the cannabis-based product, Sativex® (GW Pharma Ltd., Cambridge, UK). The studies indicate analgesic potential, however non-significantly, for most patients and with acceptable safety profile. Summarizing, high-quality RCTs are scarce in this research field, and the limitations of the observational studies complicates interpretation of clinical outcomes. Despite discrepancy among the studies, they do show indications for administration and dosing regimens providing analgesic effects for some cancer patients.
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Green R, Khalil R, Mohapatra SS, Mohapatra S. Role of Cannabidiol for Improvement of the Quality of Life in Cancer Patients: Potential and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112956. [PMID: 36361743 PMCID: PMC9654506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently a growing interest in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) to alleviate the symptoms caused by cancer, including pain, sleep disruption, and anxiety. CBD is often self-administered as an over-the-counter supplement, and patients have reported benefits from its use. However, despite the progress made, the mechanisms underlying CBD’s anti-cancer activity remain divergent and unclear. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of molecular mechanisms to determine convergent anti-cancer actions of CBD from pre-clinical and clinical studies. In vitro studies have begun to elucidate the molecular targets of CBD and provide evidence of CBD’s anti-tumor properties in cell and mouse models of cancer. Furthermore, several clinical trials have been completed testing CBD’s efficacy in treating cancer-related pain. However, most use a mixture of CBD and the psychoactive, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and/or use variable dosing that is not consistent between individual patients. Despite these limitations, significant reductions in pain and opioid use have been reported in cancer patients using CBD or CBD+THC. Additionally, significant improvements in quality-of-life measures and patients’ overall satisfaction with their treatment have been reported. Thus, there is growing evidence suggesting that CBD might be useful to improve the overall quality of life of cancer patients by both alleviating cancer symptoms and by synergizing with cancer therapies to improve their efficacy. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding the use of CBD in cancer treatment, including the optimal dose, effective combinations with other drugs, and which biomarkers/clinical presentation of symptoms may guide its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Green
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Roukiah Khalil
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Shyam S. Mohapatra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Subhra Mohapatra
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- James A Haley VA Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: (S.S.M.); (S.M.)
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