Anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids in brain, lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

In search for new cancer treatments, the anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids are under investigation. This study systematically reviews the experimental and clinical evidence for benefits of cannabinoids in cancer. Literature search was conducted through PubMed, EBSCO Host, and ProQuest electronic databases. The text words "medical marijuana," "cannabis," "cannabinoids," "cannabidiol (CBD)," and "Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)," with the Boolean operator "AND" "cancer" either "brain," "lung," "breast," "prostate," "colorectal," or "pancreatic" were used to identify studies on anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids. Treatment with cannabinoids decreased cell proliferation, tumor size, angiogenesis, adhesion, migration, and metastasis, and promoted cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in tumor cells and xenograft models and overall survival in cancer patients. There is strong experimental evidence for anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids. Clinical trials are warranted, and further experimental studies are needed to elucidate the pharmacologic potential for cannabinoids in oncology.