Investigators have assessed the potential role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer treatment in a new review published by Minev et al in Oncotarget.
Study Overview and Implications
The investigators found that mesenchymal stem cells can naturally target tumors and deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes while reducing side effects commonly associated with traditional therapies like chemotherapy. However, they also noted significant challenges in using this type of treatment. Under certain conditions, mesenchymal stem cells may promote tumor growth, representing the need for careful therapeutic design.
Clinical trials are already investigating mesenchymal stem cell–based treatments for brain tumors, melanoma, and ovarian cancer. Some of the trials have shown that these cells can effectively deliver treatments and boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. However, other trials have revealed the complexities of mesenchymal stem cell behavior, including variability in their effects and the potential to create conditions that support tumor growth.
“This variability may be [caused by] the tumor immune microenvironment’s effects, where immune cells are inhibited by various factors, creating a conducive environment for tumor growth,” stressed the study authors. “Developing personalized [mesenchymal stem cell] therapies tailored to the specific characteristics of a patient’s tumor and immune system could enhance the efficacy and safety of [mesenchymal stem cell]-based treatments,” they underscored.
Looking Ahead
Achieving personalized therapies may require a deeper understanding of how mesenchymal stem cells interact with cancer cells and their surrounding environment.
The findings highlighted both the potential and challenges of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer therapy. With ongoing research and technologic advancements, the investigators suggested that these cells could become a key component of personalized cancer treatments, offering new hope for patients with cancer across the world.
“[Mesenchymal stem cells] hold great promise as a therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy [because of] their immunomodulatory properties, tumor-homing abilities, and potential as carriers for delivering therapeutic agents,” the study authors concluded.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit oncotarget.com.
