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Systematic review of the literature on clinical and experimental trials on the antitumor effects of cannabinoids in gliomas

Journal of Neuro-Oncology volume 116, pages 11–24 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

To evaluate, through a systematic review of the literature, the antitumoral effects of cannabinoids on gliomas. Research included the following electronic databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS and The Cochrane Collaboration Controlled Trials Register. All published studies involving the antitumoral effects (cellular and molecular mechanisms) of cannabinoids were considered for this review. The bibliography search strategy included all publications of each of these databases until December 31, 2012. From 2,260 initially identified articles, 35 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. All the studies included in this systematic review were experimental (in vivo and/or in vitro), except for one pilot clinical trial phase I/II involving humans. In all experimental studies included, cannabinoids exerted antitumoral activity in vitro and/or antitumoral evidence in vivo in several models of tumor cells and tumors. The antitumor activity included: antiproliferative effects (cell cycle arrest), decreased viability and cell death by toxicity, apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, as well as antiangiogenic and antimigratory effects. Antitumoral evidence included: reduction in tumor size, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. Additionally, most of the studies described that the canabinnoids exercised selective antitumoral action in several distinct tumor models. Thereby, normal cells used as controls were not affected. The safety factor in the cannabinoids’ administration has also been demonstrated in vivo. The various cannabinoids tested in multiple tumor models showed antitumoral effects both in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate that cannabinoids are promising compounds for the treatment of gliomas.

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Acknowledgments

Coordination of Improvement of People of Higher Level (CAPES), Cochrane Center.

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This paper has no conflict of interests.

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  1. Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Av. Ascendino Reis, 763, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04027-000, Brazil

    Francisco Carlos Machado Rocha, Sergio Carlos Stefano & Dartiu Xavier da Silveira

  2. Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa of São Paulo, Rua dos Otonis, 628, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04025-001, Brazil

    Jair Guilherme dos Santos Júnior

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  1. Francisco Carlos Machado Rocha
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  2. Jair Guilherme dos Santos Júnior
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Correspondence to Francisco Carlos Machado Rocha.

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Rocha, F.C.M., dos Santos Júnior, J.G., Stefano, S.C. et al. Systematic review of the literature on clinical and experimental trials on the antitumor effects of cannabinoids in gliomas. J Neurooncol 116, 11–24 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-013-1277-1

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Keywords

  • Gliomas
  • Cannabinoids
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell cycle arrest
  • Anti-angiogenesis
  • Anti-metastasis