Aim: 

Cannabinoids have emerged as crucial mediators in a variety of pathophysiological conditions, including cancer. Thus, there is increasing evidence that endocannabinoids have different roles in cell growth, angiogenesis and tumor spreading in different types of cancer. These evidences point to a potential role of this system as a target for a therapeutic approach of tumors, although they are still a controversial topic in oncological praxis.

Clinical data support that renal cell carcinomas are neoplasms with high prevalence and mortality rates. The clear cell type of renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is by far the most frequent histological subtype, amounting to 70% of cases. To date, there is no clinical marker to detect the disease in the asymptomatic potentially curable phase nor to predict with reliability the clinical course of every case.

In the present work we analysed if the expression pattern of CB1 receptor is altered in the CCRCC.

Methods: 

We performed qRT-PCR, western-blot and immunohistochemistry assays of 6 samples from CCRCC patients.

Results: 

Strikingly, both, mRNA and protein expression of CB1 receptor, practically dissapeared from CCRCC tissues.

Conclusion: 

These data suggest that endocannabinoid system may be involved in the pathobiology of CCRCC and a potential utility for CB1 receptor as diagnostic/therapeutic tool.

Supported by grants from the Jesús Gangoiti- Barrera Foundation and Gobierno Vasco (GIC07/84).