Highlights •The endocannabinoid system may play a dual role on the regulation of tumor generation and progression. •Administration of THC and other cannabinoids exert anticancer actions in animal models of cancer.   •THC and other cannabinoid receptor-ligands induce cancer cell death and inhibit tumor angiogenesis.   •Cannabinoids enhance the anticancer activity of other antineoplastic agents in animal models of cancer.   •Cannabinoids are currently being tested as anticancer agents in phase I/II clinical studies. Abstract   It is well-established that cannabinoids exert palliative effects on some cancer-associated symptoms. In addition evidences obtained during the last fifteen years support that these compounds can reduce tumor growth in...

The endocannabinoid system is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions (inflammation, immunomodulation, analgesia, cancer and others). The main active ingredient of cannabis, D9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (D9 -THC), produces its effects through activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are expressed at high levels in the central nervous system (CNS), whereas CB2 receptors are concentrated predominantly, although not exclusively, in cells of the immune system. Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid-signalling molecules that are generated in the cell membrane from phospholipid precursors. The two best characterized endocannabinoids identified to date are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Here we review the relationship between the endocannabinoid...