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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
A Novel Stromal Fibroblast-Modulated 3D Tumor Spheroid Model for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interaction and Drug Discovery
Published on: February 28, 2020
Tumor Stroma Manipulation By MSC
Giulia Grisendi, Carlotta Spano, Filippo Rossignoli
1Laboratory of Cellular Therapy Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia Via del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy. massimo.dominici@unimore.it.
Abstract:
Tumor stroma (TS) plays relevant roles in all steps of cancer development. We here address several fundamental aspects related with the interaction between cancer cells and their stromal counterparts. Dissecting these players is of pivotal importance to understand oncogenesis, immunoescape and drug resistance. In addition, this better comprehension will allow the introduction of novel and more effective therapeutic approaches where manipulated stromal elements may become detrimental for tumor growth. Our group and others rely on the use of multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) as anti-cancer tools, since these putative TS cell precursors can deliver potent apoptosis-inducing agents. Multimodal-armed MSC can target a variety of cancers in vitro and, when injected in vivo, they localize into tumors mediating cell death without evident toxicities to normal tissues. While several aspects of these strategies shall require further investigations, these approaches collectively indicate how TS manipulation by MSC represents a tool to influence the fate of cancer cells, creating a new generation of anti-cancer strategies.
Insights
Tumor stroma (TS) is crucial in cancer progression. Manipulating TS with multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) shows promise for targeted cancer therapy, inducing tumor cell death with minimal toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cancer Immunology
Background:
- Tumor stroma (TS) critically influences cancer development, including oncogenesis, immune evasion, and drug resistance.
- Understanding cancer cell-stromal interactions is vital for developing new therapeutic strategies.
- Multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) are explored as potential anti-cancer agents targeting TS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate fundamental interactions between cancer cells and their stromal counterparts.
- To explore the potential of MSC-mediated TS manipulation for anti-cancer therapies.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MSC-based strategies in targeting tumor growth.
Main Methods:
- In vitro and in vivo studies analyzing cancer cell-stromal interactions.
- Utilizing multimodal-armed MSC engineered to deliver apoptosis-inducing agents.
- Assessing MSC localization, tumor targeting, and therapeutic effects in cancer models.
Main Results:
- MSC demonstrated the ability to target various cancers in vitro.
- In vivo studies showed MSC localization within tumors, mediating cancer cell death.
- No significant toxicities were observed in normal tissues following MSC injection.
Conclusions:
- TS manipulation using MSC represents a novel therapeutic avenue for cancer treatment.
- MSC-based strategies offer a promising approach for influencing cancer cell fate.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate and optimize these anti-cancer strategies.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells