Cannabinoids may be therapeutic in breast cancer.

The term cannabinoid refers to the compounds that contain an active form of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as synthetic molecules that activate the same primary targets as THC.  Cannabinoids have also been found to possess anticachexial properties, [counteracting the] progressive loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass and is common in a number of end-stagediseases , commonly found in tetrahydrocannabinol, the oral capsule form of synthetically generated THC. Clinical evidence has also shown that these compounds possess antitumor effects in several cancers.  This is believed to occur through the inhibiting of uncontrolled cancer cell growth and cancer cell proliferation through the induction of apoptosis.  There has also been evidence to show the active impairment of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.

In terms of breast cancer, the most common cancer among western women, certain tumors remain resistant to the conventional treatment. Cannabinoids have shown to actively modulate key tumor progression-related aspects of estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR)–positive breast cancer cells as well as impairing cell migration and culture invasion. This indicates that cannabinoids may possess the ability to modulate hormone-sensitive breast cancer metastasis. During trials, two different cell lines were injected subcutaneously into immune deficient mice or orthotopically in immune-competent FVB mice; both were then treated with THC. Both instances showed reduction in tumor growth, and a reduction in the number of tumor blood vessels, indicating THC actively impairing tumor angiogenesis. Additionally, there is currently no standard therapy for triple-negative breast cancer, but in vitro and in vivo preclinical evidence, using synthetic cannabinoids, have all produced an inhibition of cell proliferation as well as angiogenesis. These compounds contain low toxicity and maintain a high safety profile used as single agents, as well as in combination with other treatment.  Overall, the use of THC to treat breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer, shows great promise for the future.

Source:

Cannabinoids may be therapeutic in breast cancer.

Oncol Nurs Forum. 2013 Mar;40(2):191-2. doi: 10.1188/13.ONF.191-192.

Behrend SW.

Department of Nursing, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.