Title:Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Anti-Cancer Therapies
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
Author(s): Milena Kostadinova *Milena Mourdjeva
Affiliation:
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov", Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 73 Tsarigradsko Shose, 1113 Sofia,Bulgaria
Keywords:
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, tumor cells, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, genetic modification, exosomes.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are localized throughout the adult body as a small
population in the stroma of the tissue concerned. In injury, tissue damage, or tumor formation, they are
activated and leave their niche to migrate to the site of injury, where they release a plethora of growth
factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules. With the accumulation of data about the interaction
between MSCs and tumor cells, the dualistic role of MSCs remains unclear. However, a large number
of studies have demonstrated the natural anti-tumor properties inherent in MSCs, so this is the basis for
intensive research for new methods using MSCs as a tool to suppress cancer cell development. This
review focuses specifically on advanced approaches in modifying MSCs to become a powerful, precision-
targeted tool for killing cancer cells, but not normal healthy cells. Suppression of tumor growth by
MSCs can be accomplished by inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest, suppressing tumor angiogenesis,
or blocking mechanisms mediating metastasis. In addition, the chemosensitivity of cancer cells may be
increased so that the dose of the chemotherapeutic agent used could be significantly reduced.