Cannabinoids as seed compounds for the cancer treatment

Abstract

This review presents current knowledge relating to the possible application of cannabinoids as seed compounds for cancer treatment. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds, originally derived from Cannabis sativa L., and a number of phyto-, endo-, and synthetic cannabinoids have become available in recent times. Among them, some phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids have been shown to exert anticancer effects in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models, especially using glioma cell lines, and breast and lung cancer cell lines. These anticancer effects are considered to be exerted selectively toward cancer cells, and normal cells appear to remain unaffected. This selectivity suggests that cannabinoids are potential seed compounds for cancer therapy. The anticancer effects of cannabinoids, the underlying mechanisms, and their future possible use in cancer treatment are presented and discussed.