Cannabinoids as Therapeutics for Non-Melanoma and Melanoma Skin Cancer

Skin cancer has a significant impact on the health care system of many societies. The most common types of skin cancer are Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) and melanoma. In the United States, NMSC incidence is greater than all other cancers combined. Although death is a rare outcome of NMSC, recurrence is fairly common. In contrast, melanoma is highly metastatic, chemoresistant and is often lethal. As such, novel therapeutics are urgently needed for treatment of these malignancies. The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids has been investigated for numerous conditions including skin cancers. The actions of cannabinoids are regulated by components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which include cannabinoid receptors, putative transporters, and enzymes involved in endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation. Recent evidence suggests that cannabinoids of endogenous origin perform specific roles in skin cell homeostasis and in the development and elimination of skin cancer. Hence, synthetic cannabinoids (psychoactive and non-psychoactive), phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids are being investigated as potential therapeutics for skin cancer. In this article, current knowledge regarding the role cannabinoids in skin cancer development and the potential for utilizing cannabinoids as novel therapeutics are reviewed.