Affiliation:
1. Department of Human Pathology and Evolutive Age "Gaetano Barresi" University of Messina Messina Italy
2. Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging University of Messina Messina Italy
3. Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences University of Messina Messina Italy
4. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Messina Messina Italy
Abstract
AbstractThe endocannabinoid system is composed by a complex and ubiquitous network of endogenous lipid ligands, enzymes for their synthesis and degradation, and receptors, which can also be stimulated by exogenous compounds, such as those derived from the Cannabis sativa. Cannabis and its bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids and non‐cannabinoids, have been extensively studied in different conditions. Recent data have shown that the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining the homeostasis of various skin functions such as proliferation, differentiation and release of inflammatory mediators. Because of their role in regulating these key processes, cannabinoids have been studied for the treatment of skin cancers and melanoma; their anti‐tumour effects regulate skin cancer progression and are mainly related to the inhibition of tumour growth, proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis, through apoptosis and autophagy induction. This review aims at summarising the current field of research on the potential uses of cannabinoids in the melanoma field.