The role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer and prospects for their use in cancer therapeutics
Jian Tang,
Yu Chen,
Chunhua Wang,
Ying Xia,
Tingyu Yu,
Mengjun Tang,
Kun Meng,
Lijuan Yin,
Yang Yang,
Liang Shen,
Hui Xing,
Xiaogang Mao
Affiliations
Jian Tang
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Yu Chen
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Chunhua Wang
Department of Clinical Laboratory Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital Hubei University of Medicine Xiangyang Hubei Province China
Ying Xia
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Tingyu Yu
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Mengjun Tang
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Kun Meng
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Lijuan Yin
State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology Ministry of Education Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industry Microbiology National and Local United Engineering Lab of Metabolic Control Fermentation Technology China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Food Nutrition/Safety and Medicinal Chemistry College of Biotechnology Tianjin University of Science & Technology Tianjin China
Yang Yang
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease Shenzhen Third People's Hospital Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
Liang Shen
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Hui Xing
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Xiaogang Mao
Central Laboratory Xiangyang Central Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China
Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited by malignant tumor cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of malignant tumors. This role encompasses immune evasion, promotion of angiogenesis, stimulation of cancer cell proliferation, correlation with cancer stem cells, multilineage differentiation within the TME, and development of treatment resistance. Simultaneously, extensive research is exploring the homing effect of MSCs and MSC‐derived extracellular vesicles (MSCs‐EVs) in tumors, aiming to design them as carriers for antitumor substances. These substances are targeted to deliver antitumor drugs to enhance drug efficacy while reducing drug toxicity. This paper provides a review of the supportive role of MSCs in tumor progression and the associated molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we summarize the latest therapeutic strategies involving engineered MSCs and MSCs‐EVs in cancer treatment, including their utilization as carriers for gene therapeutic agents, chemotherapeutics, and oncolytic viruses. We also discuss the distribution and clearance of MSCs and MSCs‐EVs upon entry into the body to elucidate the potential of targeted therapies based on MSCs and MSCs‐EVs in cancer treatment, along with the challenges they face.
