Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Potential use of cannabimimetics in the treatment of cancer

  • Chapter
Cannabinoids as Therapeutics

Part of the book series: Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT ((MDT))

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Mechoulam R (1986) The pharmacohistory of Cannabis sativa. In: R Mechoulam (ed.): Cannabis as therapeutic agents. CRC Press, Roca Raton, FL, 1–19

    Google Scholar 

  2. Williamson EM, Evans FJ (2000) Cannabinoids in clinical practice. Drugs 60: 1303–1314

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gaoni Y, Mechoulam R (1964) Isolation, structure, and partial synthesis of an active constituent of hashish. J Am Chem Soc 86: 1646–1647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Walsh D, Nelson KA, Mahmoud FA (2003) Established and potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoids in oncology. Support Care Cancer 11: 137–143

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Pertwee RG (1997) Pharmacology of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. Pharmacol Ther 74: 129–180

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Di Marzo V (1998) ‘Endocannabinoids’ and other fatty acid derivatives with cannabimimetic properties: biochemistry and possble physiopathological relevance. Biochim Biophys Acta 1392: 153–175

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McAllister SD, Glass M (2002) CB(1) and CB(2) receptor-mediated signalling: a focus on endocannabinoids. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 66: 161–171

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Paria BC, Das SK, Dey SK (1995) The preimplantation mouse embryo is a target for cannabinoid ligand-receptor signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92: 9460–9464

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Berrendero F, Sepe N, Ramos JA, Di Marzo V, Fernandez-Ruiz JJ (1999) Analysis of cannabinoid receptor binding and mRNA expression and endogenous cannabinoid contents in the developing rat brain during late gestation and early postnatal period. Synapse 33: 181–191

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mechoulam R, Hanuš L (2002) Cannabidiol: an overview of some chemical and pharmacological aspects. Part I: chemical aspects. Chem Phys Lipids 121: 35–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Devane WA, Hanuš L, Breuer A, Pertwee RG, Stevenson LA, Griffin G, Gibson D, Mandelbaum A, Etinger A, Mechoulam R (1992) Isolation and structure of a brain constituent that binds to the cannabinoid receptor. Science 258: 1946–1949

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Mechoulam R, Ben-Shabat S, Hanuš L, Ligumsky M, Kaminski NE, Schatz AR, Gopher A, Almog S, Martin BR, Compton DR et al. (1995) Identification of an endogenous 2-monoglyceride, present in canine gut, that binds to cannabinoid receptors. Biochem Pharmacol 50: 83–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sugiura T, Kondo S, Sukagawa A, Nakane S, Shinoda A, Itoh K, Yamashita A, Waku K (1995) 2-Arachidonoylglycerol: a possible endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand in brain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 215: 89–97

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Matsuda LA, Lolait SJ, Brownstein MJ, Young AC, Bonner TI (1990) Structure of a cannabinoid receptor and functional expression of the cloned cDNA. Nature 346: 561–564

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Munro S, Thomas KL, Abu-Shaar M (1993) Molecular characterization of a peripheral receptor for cannabinoids. Nature 365: 61–65

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Di Marzo V, Fontana A, Cadas H, Schinelli S, Cimino G, Schwartz JC, Piomelli D (1994) Formation and inactivation of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in central neurons. Nature 372: 686–691

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Bisogno T, Howell F, Williams G, Minassi A, Cascio MG, Ligresti A, Matias I, Schiano-Moriello A, Paul P, Williams EJ et al. (2003) Cloning of the first snl-DAG lipases points to the spatial and temporal regulation of endocannabinoid signaling in the brain. J Cell Biol 163: 463–468

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hillard CJ, Edgemond WS, Jarrahian A, Campbell WB (1997) Accumulation of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) into cerebellar granule cells occurs via facilitated diffusion. J Neurochem 69: 631–638

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Cravatt BF, Giang DK, Mayfield SP, Boger DL, Lerner RA, Gilula NB (1996) Molecular characterization of an enzyme that degrades neuromodulatory fatty-acid amides. Nature 384: 83–87

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Karlsson M, Contreras JA, Hellman U, Tornqvist H, Holm C (1997) cDNA cloning, tissue distribution, and identification of the catalytic triad of monoglyceride lipase. Evolutionary relationship to esterases, lysophospholipases, and haloperoxidases. J Biol Chem 272: 27218–27223

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Howlett AC (1995) Pharmacology of cannabinoid receptors. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 35: 607–634

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Piomelli D (2003) The molecular logic of endocannabinoid signalling. Nat Rev Neurosci 4: 873–884

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Wilson RI, Nicoll RA (2002) Endocannabinoid signaling in the brain. Science 296: 678–682

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Guzman M, Sanchez C, Galve-Roperh I (2001) Control of the cell survival/death decision by cannabinoids. J Mol Med 78: 613–625

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Zhu LX, Sharma S, Stolina M, Gardner B, Roth MD, Tashkin DP, Dubinett SM (2000) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits antitumor immunity by a CB2 receptor-mediated, cytokine-dependent pathway. J Immunol 165: 373–380

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hart S, Fischer OM, Ullrich A (2004) Cannabinoids induce cancer cell proliferation via tumor necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17)-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Cancer Res 64: 1943–1950

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Sanchez MG, Sanchez AM, Ruiz-Llorente L, Diaz-Laviada I (2003) Enhancement of androgen receptor expression induced by R-methanandamide in prostate LNCaP cells. FEBS Lett 555: 561–566

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Munson AE, Harris LS, Friedman MA, Dewey WL, Carchman RA (1975) Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids. JNatl Cancer Inst 55: 597–602

    Google Scholar 

  29. (1996) Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of 1-trans-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in F344N/N rats and BC63F1 mice. National Institutes of Health National Toxicology Program, NIH Publication No. 97-3362

    Google Scholar 

  30. De Petrocellis L, Melck D, Palmisano A, Bisogno T, Laezza C, Bifulco M, Di Marzo V (1998) The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95: 8375–8380

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Melck D, Rueda D, Galve-Roperh I, De Petrocellis L, Guzman M, Di Marzo V (1999) Involvement of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway and of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the anti-proliferative effects of anandamide in human breast cancer cells. FEBS Lett 463: 235–240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Melck D, De Petrocellis L, Orlando P, Bisogno T, Laezza C, Bifulco M, Di Marzo V (2000) Suppression of nerve growth factor Trk receptors and prolactin receptors by endocannabinoids leads to inhibition of human breast and prostate cancer cell proliferation. Endocrinology 141: 118–126

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Bifulco M, Laezza C, Portella G, Vitale M, Orlando P, De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V (2001) Control by the endogenous cannabinoid system of ras oncogene-dependent tumor growth. FASEB J 15: 2745–2747

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Rueda D, Navarro B, Martinez-Serrano A, Guzman M, Galve-Roperh I (2002) The endocannabinoid anandamide inhibits neuronal progenitor cell differentiation through attenuation of the Rap1/B-Raf/ERK pathway. J Biol Chem 277: 46645–46650

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Casanova ML, Blazquez C, Martinez-Palacio J, Villanueva C, Fernandez-Acenero MJ, Huffman JW, Jorcano JL, Guzman M (2003) Inhibition of skin tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo by activation of cannabinoid receptors. J Clin Invest 111: 43–50

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Mimeault M, Pommery N, Wattez N, Bailly C, Henichart JP (2003) Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of anandamide in human prostatic cancer cell lines: implication of epidermal growth factor receptor down-regulation and ceramide production. Prostate 56: 1–12

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Portella G, Laezza C, Laccetti P, De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V, Bifulco M (2003) Inhibitory effects of cannabinoid CB1 receptor stimulation on tumor growth and metastatic spreading: actions on signals involved in angiogenesis and metastasis. FASEB J 17: 1771–1773

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Sanchez C, de Ceballos ML, del Pulgar TG, Rueda D, Corbacho C, Velasco G, Galve-Roperh I, Huffman JW, Ramon y Cajal S, Guzman M (2001) Inhibition of glioma growth in vivo by selective activation of the CB(2) cannabinoid receptor. Cancer Res 61: 5784–5789

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. McKallip RJ, Lombard C, Fisher M, Martin BR, Ryu S, Grant S, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M (2002) Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease. Blood 100: 627–634

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Sanchez C, Galve-Roperh I, Canova C, Brachet P, Guzman M (1998) Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. FEBS Lett 436: 6–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Ruiz L., Miguel A, Diaz-Laviada I (1999) Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in human prostate PC-3 cells via a receptor-independent mechanism. FEBS Lett 458: 400–404

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Galve-Roperh I, Sanchez C, Cortes ML, del Pulgar TG, Izquierdo M, Guzman M (2000) Anti-tumoral action of cannabinoids: involvement of sustained ceramide accumulation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. Nat Med 6: 313–319

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Gomez del Pulgar T, Velasco G, Sanchez C, Haro A, Guzman M (2002) De novo-synthesized ceramide is involved in cannabinoid-induced apoptosis. Biochem J 363: 183–188

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Ramer R, Weinzierl U, Schwind B, Brune K, Hinz B (2003) Ceramide is involved in r(+)-methanandamide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human neuroglioma cells. Mol Pharmacol 64: 1189–1198

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Guzman M (2003) Cannabinoids: potential anticancer agents. Nat Rev Cancer 3: 745–755

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Sarker KP, Obara S, Nakata M, Kitajima I, Maruyama I (2000) Anandamide induces apoptosis of PC-12 cells: involvement of superoxide and caspase-3. FEBS Lett 472: 39–44

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Sarker KP, Biswas KK, Rosales JL, Yamaji K, Hashiguchi T, Lee KY, Maruyama I (2003) Ebselen inhibits NO-induced apoptosis of differentiated PC12 cells via inhibition of ASK1-p38 MAPK-p53 and JNK signaling and activation of p44/42 MAPK and Bcl-2. J Neurochem 87: 1345–1353

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Rak J, Mitsuhashi Y, Sheehan C, Tamir A, Viloria-Petit A, Filmus J, Mansour SJ, Ahn NG, Kerbel RS (2000) Oncogenes and tumor angiogenesis: differential modes of vascular endothelial growth factor up-regulation in ras-transformed epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Cancer Res 60: 490–498

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Hetian L, Ping A, Shumei S, Xiaoying L, Luowen H, Jian W, Lin M, Meisheng L, Junshan Y, Chengchao S (2002) A novel peptide isolated from a phage display library inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by blocking the binding of vascular endothelial growth factor to its kinase domain receptor. J Biol Chem 277: 43137–43142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Casanova ML, Larcher F, Casanova B, Murillas R, Fernandez-Acenero MJ, Villanueva C, Martinez-Palacio J, Ullrich A, Conti CJ, Jorcano JL (2002) A critical role for ras-mediated, epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent angiogenesis in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cancer Res 62: 3402–3407

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Blazquez C, Casanova ML, Planas A, Del Pulgar TG, Villanueva C, Fernandez-Acenero MJ, Aragones J, Huffman JW, Jorcano JL, Guzman M (2003) Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by cannabinoids. FASEB J 17: 529–531

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Joseph J, Niggemann B, Zaenker KS, Entschladen F (2004) Anandamide is an endogenous inhibitor for the migration of tumor cells and T lymphocytes. Cancer Immunol Immunother 53: 723–728

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Pagotto U, Marsicano G, Fezza F, Theodoropoulou M, Grubler Y, Stalla J, Arzberger T, Milone A, Losa M, Di Marzo V et al. (2001) Normal human pituitary gland and pituitary adenomas express cannabinoid receptor type 1 and synthesize endogenous cannabinoids: first evidence for a direct role of cannabinoids on hormone modulation at the human pituitary level. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86: 2687–2696

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Maccarrone M, Attina M, Cartoni A, Bari M, Finazzi-Agrò (2001) A Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of endogenous cannabinoids in healthy and tumoral human brain and human cells in culture. J Neurochem 76: 594–601

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Schmid PC, Wold LE, Krebsbach RJ, Berdyshev EV, Schmid HH (2002) Anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines in human tumors. Lipids 37: 907–912

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Maccarrone M (2004) Levels of N-acylethanolamines in human tumors: in search of reliable data. Lipids 39: 193–194

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Ligresti A, Bisogno T, Matias I, De Petrocellis L, Cascio MG, Cosenza V, D’argenio G, Scaglione G, Bifulco M, Sorrentini I, Di Marzo V (2003) Possible endocannabinoid control of colorectal cancer growth. Gastroenterology 125: 677–687

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Bisogno T, Katayama K, Melck D, Ueda N, De Petrocellis L, Yamamoto S, Di Marzo V (1998) Biosynthesis and degradation of bioactive fatty acid amides in human breast cancer and rat pheochromocytoma cells-implications for cell proliferation and differentiation. Eur J Biochem 254: 634–642

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Di Marzo V, Melck D, Orlando P, Bisogno T, Zagoory O, Bifulco M, Vogel Z, De Petrocellis L (2001) Palmitoylethanolamide inhibits the expression of fatty acid amide hydrolase and enhances the anti-proliferative effect of anandamide in human breast cancer cells. Biochem J 358: 249–255

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. De Petrocellis L, Bisogno T, Ligresti A, Bifulco M, Melck D, Di Marzo V (2002) Effect on cancer cell proliferation of palmitoylethanolamide, a fatty acid amide interacting with both the cannabinoid and vanilloid signalling systems. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 16: 297–302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Pertwee RG (2004) New pharmacological targets for cannabinoids. Curr Neuropharmacol 2: 9–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Maccarrone M, Lorenzon T, Bari M, Melino G, Finazzi-Agrò A (2000) Anandamide induces apoptosis in human cells via vanilloid receptors. Evidence for a protective role of cannabinoid receptors. J Biol Chem 275: 31938–31945

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Szallasi A, Blumberg PM (1999) Vanilloid (Capsaicin) receptors and mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 51: 159–212

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Di Marzo V, De Petrocellis L, Fezza F, Ligresti A, Bisogno T (2002) Anandamide receptors. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 66: 377–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Melck D, Bisogno T, De Petrocellis L, Chuang H, Julius D, Bifulco M, Di Marzo V (1999) Unsaturated long-chain N-acyl-vanillyl-amides (N-AVAMs): vanilloid receptor ligands that inhibit anandamide-facilitated transport and bind to CB1 cannabinoid receptors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 262: 275–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Contassot E, Tenan M, Schnuriger V, Pelte MF, Dietrich PY (2004) Arachidonyl ethanolamide induces apoptosis of uterine cervix cancer cells via aberrantly expressed vanilloid receptor-1. Gynecol Oncol 93: 182–188

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Jacobsson SO, Wallin T, Fowler CJ (2001) Inhibition of rat C6 glioma cell proliferation by endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids. Relative involvement of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 299: 951–959

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Grant ER, Dubin AE, Zhang SP, Zivin RA, Zhong Z (2002) Simultaneous intracellular calcium and sodium flux imaging in human vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1)-transfected human embryonic kidney cells: a method to resolve ionic dependence of VR1-mediated cell death. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 300: 9–17

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Biro T, Brodie C, Modarres S, Lewin NE, Acs P, Blumberg PM (1998) Specific vanilloid responses in C6 rat glioma cells. Brain Res Mol Brain Res 56: 89–98

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Macho A, Calzado MA, Munoz-Blanco J, Gomez-Diaz C, Gajate C, Mollinedo F, Navas P, Munoz E (1999) Selective induction of apoptosis by capsaicin in transformed cells: the role of reactive oxygen species and calcium. Cell Death Differ 6: 155–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Bisogno T, Hanuš L, De Petrocellis L, Tchilibon S, Ponde DE, Brandi I, Schiano Moriello A, Davis JB, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V (2001) Molecular targets for cannabidiol and its synthetic analogues: effect on vanilloid VR1 receptors and on the cellular uptake and enzymatic hydrolysis of anandamide. Br J Pharmacol 134: 845–852

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Jordt SE, Bautista DM, Chuang HH, McKemy DD, Zygmunt PM, Hogestatt ED, Meng ID, Julius D (2004) Mustard oils and cannabinoids excite sensory nerve fibres through the TRP channel ANKTM1. Nature 427: 260–265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Carchman RA, Harris LS, Munson AE (1976) The inhibition of DNA synthesis by cannabinoids. Cancer Res 36: 95–100

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Jacobsson SO, Rongard E, Stridh M, Tiger G, Fowler CJ (2000) Serum-dependent effects of tamoxifen and cannabinoids upon C6 glioma cell viability. Biochem Pharmacol 60: 1807–1813

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Mechoulam R, Hanuš L (2002) Cannabidiol: an overview of some chemical and pharmacological aspects. Part I: chemical aspects. Chem Phys Lipids 121: 35–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Massi P, Vaccani A, Ceruti S, Colombo A, Abbracchio MP, Parolaro D (2004) Antitumor effects of cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, on human glioma cell lines. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 308: 838–845

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Gallily R, Even-Chena T, Katzavian G, Lehmann D, Dagan A, Mechoulam R (2003) Gamma-irradiation enhances apoptosis induced by cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, in cultured HL-60 myeloblastic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 44: 1767–1773

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Baek SH, Kim YO, Kwag JS, Choi KE, Jung WY, Han DS (1998) Boron trifluoride etherate on silica-A modified Lewis acid reagent (VII). Antitumor activity of cannabigerol against human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. Arch Pharmacol Res 21: 353–356

    Google Scholar 

  79. Recht LD, Salmonsen R, Rosetti R, Jang T, Pipia G, Kubiatowski T, Karim P, Ross AH, Zurier R, Litofsky NS, Burstein S (2001) Antitumor effects of ajulemic acid (CT3), a synthetic non-psychoactive cannabinoid. Biochem Pharmacol 62: 755–763

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Bidinger B, Torres R, Rossetti RG, Brown L, Beltre R, Burstein S, Lian JB, Stein GS, Zurier RB (2003) Ajulemic acid, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid acid, induces apoptosis in human T lymphocytes. Clin Immunol 108: 95–102

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Guzman M, Galve-Roperh I, Sanchez C (2001) Ceramide: a new second messenger of cannabinoid action. Trends Pharmacol Sci 22: 19–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Gomez Del Pulgar T, De Ceballos ML, Guzman M, Velasco G (2002) Cannabinoids protect astrocytes from ceramide-induced apoptosis through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. J Biol Chem 277: 36527–36533

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Molina-Holgado E, Vela JM, Arevalo-Martin A, Almazan G, Molina-Holgado F, Borrell J, Guaza C (2002) Cannabinoids promote oligodendrocyte progenitor survival: involvement of cannabinoid receptors and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt signaling. J Neurosci 22: 9742–9753

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. van der Stelt M, Veldhuis WB, Maccarrone M, Bar PR, Nicolay K, Veldink GA, Di Marzo V, Vliegenthart JF (2002) Acute neuronal injury, excitotoxicity, and the endocannabinoid system. Mol Neurobiol 26: 317–346

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Grotenhermen F (2003) Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Clin Pharmacokinet 42: 327–360

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Malan TP Jr, Ibrahim MM, Lai J, Vanderah TW, Makriyannis A, Porreca F (2003) CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonists: pain relief without psychoactive effects? Curr Opin Pharmacol 3: 62–67

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Bifulco M, Di Marzo V (2002) Targeting the endocannabinoid system in cancer therapy: a call for further research. Nat Med 8: 547–550

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Tashkin DP, Baldwin GC, Sarafian T, Dubinett S, Roth MD (2002) Respiratory and immunologic consequences of marijuana smoking. J Clin Pharmacol 42: 71S–81S

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. (2003) Cannabis-based medicines—GW pharmaceuticals: high CBD, high THC, medicinal cannabis—GW pharmaceuticals, THC:CBD. Drugs R D 4: 306–309

    Google Scholar 

  90. Pertwee RG, Gibson TM, Stevenson LA, Ross RA, Banner WK, Saha B, Razdan RK, Martin BR (2000) O-1057, a potent water-soluble cannabinoid receptor agonist with antinociceptive properties. Br JPharmacol 129: 1577–1584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Pertwee RG (2000) Cannabinoid receptor ligands: clinical and neuropharmacological considerations, relevant to future drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Invest Drugs 9: 1553–1571

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Di Carlo G, Izzo AA (2003) Cannabinoids for gastrointestinal diseases: potential therapeutic applications. Expert Opin Invest Drugs 12: 39–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Tramer MR, Carroll D, Campbell FA, Reynolds DJ, Moore RA, McQuay HJ (2001) Cannabinoids for control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: quantitative systematic review. Br Med J 323: 16–21

    Google Scholar 

  94. Walsh 2003 and James JS (2000) Marijuana safety study completed: weight gain, no safety problems. AIDS Treat News 348: 3–4

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Barann M, Molderings G, Bruss M, Bonisch H, Urban BW, Gothert M (2002) Direct inhibition by cannabinoids of human 5-HT3A receptors: probable involvement of an allosteric modulatory site. Br J Pharmacol 137: 589–596

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Van Sickle MD, Oland LD, Mackie K, Davison JS, Sharkey KA (2003) Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol selectively acts on CB 1 receptors in specific regions of dorsal vagal complex to inhibit emesis in ferrets. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 285: G566–G576

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Darmani NA (2001) Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol differentially suppresses cisplatin-induced emesis and indices of motor function via cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in the least shrew. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 69: 239–249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Darmani NA, Johnson JC (2004) Central and peripheral mechanisms contribute to the antiemetic actions of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol against 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced emesis. Eur J Pharmacol 488: 201–212

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Darmani NA, Janoyan JJ, Kumar N, Crim JL (2003) Behaviorally active doses of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A increase brain serotonin and dopamine levels and turnover. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 75: 777–787

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Yamakuni H, Sawai-Nakayama H, Imazumi K, Maeda Y, Matsuo M, Manda T, Mutoh S (2002) Resiniferatoxin antagonizes cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs and ferrets. Eur J Pharmacol 442: 273–278

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Kirkham TC, Williams CM, Fezza F, Di Marzo V (2002) Endocannabinoid levels in rat limbic forebrain and hypothalamus in relation to fasting, feeding and satiation: stimulation of eating by 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. Br J Pharmacol 136: 550–557

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Di Marzo V, Goparaju SK, Wang L, Liu J, Batkai S, Jarai Z, Fezza F, Miura GI, Palmiter RD, Sugiura T, Kunos G (2001) Leptin-regulated endocannabinoids are involved in maintaining food intake. Nature 410: 822–825

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Cota D, Marsicano G, Tschop M, Grubler Y, Flachskamm C, Schubert M, Auer D, Yassouridis A, Thone-Reineke C, Ortmann S et al. (2003) The endogenous cannabinoid system affects energy balance via central orexigenic drive and peripheral lipogenesis. J Clin Invest 112: 423–431

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Jatoi A, Windschitl HE, Loprinzi CL, Sloan JA, Dakhil SR, Mailliard JA, Pundaleeka S, Kardinal CG, Fitch TR, Krook JE et al. (2002) Dronabinol versus megestrol acetate versus combination therapy for cancer-associated anorexia: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group study. J Clin Oncol 20: 567–573

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Iversen L, Chapman V (2002) Cannabinoids: a real prospect for pain relief? Curr Opin Pharmacol 2: 50–55

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Walker JM, Huang SM, Strangman NM, Tsou K, Sanudo-Pena MC (1999) Pain modulation by release of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 96: 12198–12203

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Pertwee RG (2001) Cannabinoid receptors and pain. Prog Neurobiol 63: 569–611

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Mantyh PW, Clohisy DR, Koltzenburg M, Hunt SP (2002) Molecular mechanisms of cancer pain. Nat Rev Cancer 2: 201–209

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  109. Campbell FA, Tramer MR, Carroll D, Reynolds DJ, Moore RA, McQuay HJ (2001) Are cannabinoids an effective and safe treatment option in the management of pain? A qualitative systematic review. Br Med J 323: 13–16

    Google Scholar 

  110. Naef M, Curatolo M, Petersen-Felix S, Arendt-Nielsen L, Zbinden A, Brenneisen R (2003) The analgesic effect of oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), morphine, and a THC-morphine combination in healthy subjects under experimental pain conditions. Pain 105: 79–88

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Cichewicz DL (2004) Synergistic interactions between cannabinoid and opioid analgesics. Life Sci 74: 1317–1324

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Haller J, Bakos N, Szirmay M, Ledent C, Freund TF (2002) The effects of genetic and pharmacological blockade of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor on anxiety. Eur J Neurosci 16: 1395–1398

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Kathuria S, Gaetani S, Fegley D, Valino F, Duranti A, Tontini A, Mor M, Tarzia G, La Rana G, Calignano A et al. (2003) Modulation of anxiety through blockade of anandamide hydrolysis. Nat Med 9: 76–81

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  114. Marsicano G, Wotjak CT, Azad SC, Bisogno T, Rammes G, Cascio MG, Hermann H, Tang J, Hofmann C, Zieglgansberger W et al. (2002) The endogenous cannabinoid system controls extinction of aversive memories. Nature 418: 530–534

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  115. Bisogno T, Melck D, Bobrov MYu, Gretskaya NM, Bezuglov VV, De Petrocellis L, Di Marzo V (2000) N-acyl-dopamines: novel synthetic CB(1) cannabinoid-receptor ligands and inhibitors of anandamide inactivation with cannabimimetic activity in vitro and in vivo. Biochem J 351: 817–824

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Jones S, Howl J (2003) Cannabinoid receptor systems: therapeutic targets for tumour intervention. Expert Opin Ther Targets 7: 749–758

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Bifulco M, Laezza C, Valenti M, Ligresti A, Portella G, Di Marzo V (2004) A new strategy to block tumor growth by inhibiting endocannabinoid inactivation. FASEB J 18: 1606–1608

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Contassot E, Wilmotte R, Tenan M, Belkouch MC, Schnuriger V, de Tribolet N, Burkhardt K, Dietrich PY (2004) Arachidonylethanolamide induces apoptosis of human glioma cells through vanilloid receptor-1. JNeuropathol Exp Neurol 63: 956–963

    Google Scholar 

  119. Blazquez C, Gonzalez-Feria L, Alvarez L, Haro A, Casanova ML, Guzman M. (2004) Cannabinoids inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in gliomas. Cancer Res 64: 5617–5623

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Nithipatikom K, Endsley MP, Isbell MA, Falck JR, Iwamoto Y, Hillard CJ, Campbell WB (2004) 2-arachidonoylglycerol: a novel inhibitor of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell invasion. Cancer Res 64: 8826–8830

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cibernetica “Eduardo Caianiello”, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, Fabbricato 70, 80078, Pozzuoli (Napoli), Italy

    Luciano De Petrocellis

  2. Istituto di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy

    Maurizio Bifulco

  3. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, Fabbricato 70, 80078, Pozzuoli (Napoli), Italy

    Alessia Ligresti & Vincenzo Di Marzo

Authors
  1. Luciano De Petrocellis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maurizio Bifulco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alessia Ligresti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vincenzo Di Marzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, 91010, Israel

    Raphael Mechoulam

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Birkhäuser Verlag/Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

De Petrocellis, L., Bifulco, M., Ligresti, A., Di Marzo, V. (2005). Potential use of cannabimimetics in the treatment of cancer. In: Mechoulam, R. (eds) Cannabinoids as Therapeutics. Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7643-7358-X_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation