cannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 are expressed in the cervix. Anandamide bind to those receptors and has multiple functions on them (Ayakannu et al., 2015).
One of the effects of Anandamide (and THC) is to overexpress TIMP-1 with anti invasive and apoptotic functions on cancer cells (Ramer and Hinz, 2008).
However, the specific mechanism of the endocannabinoid system is not clear. Some studies suggest that Anandamide anti cancer properties depend on TRPV1 and not on CB1 or CB2 (Contassot et al., 2004; Ramer and Hinz, 2008).
More research is needed in this field.
Literature:
Ayakannu, T., Taylor, A.H., Willets, J.M., and Konje, J.C. (2015). The evolving role of the endocannabinoid system in gynaecological cancer. Hum. Reprod. Update 21, 517–535.
Contassot, E., Tenan, M., Schnüriger, V., Pelte, M.-F., and Dietrich, P.-Y. (2004). Arachidonyl ethanolamide induces apoptosis of uterine cervix cancer cells via aberrantly expressed vanilloid receptor-1. Gynecol. Oncol. 93, 182–188.
Ramer, R., and Hinz, B. (2008). Inhibition of cancer cell invasion by cannabinoids via increased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1. J. Natl. cancer Inst. 100, 59–69.
