Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025

High Throughput Characterization of Adult Stem Cells Engineered for Delivery of Therapeutic Factors for Neuroprotective Strategies
Published on: January 4, 2015
Engineered adult stem cells: a promising tool for anti-cancer therapy
Youngdong Choi1, Hong Kyu Lee1, Kyung-Chul Choi1
1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea.
Abstract:
Cancers are one of the most dreaded diseases in human history and have been targeted by numerous trials including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anti-cancer drugs. Adult stem cells (ASCs), which can regenerate tissues and repair damage, have emerged as leading therapeutic candidates due to their homing ability toward tumor foci. Stem cells can precisely target malicious tumors, thereby minimizing the toxicity of normal cells and unfavorable side effects. ASCs, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), are powerful tools for delivering therapeutic agents to various primary and metastatic cancers. Engineered ASCs act as a bridge between the tumor sites and tumoricidal reagents, producing therapeutic substances such as exosomes, viruses, and anti-cancer proteins encoded by several suicide genes. This review focuses on various anti-cancer therapies implemented via ASCs and summarizes the recent treatment progress and shortcomings. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 71-77].
Insights
Adult stem cells (ASCs) offer targeted cancer therapy by homing to tumors, minimizing side effects. This review explores ASCs, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), for delivering anti-cancer agents and discusses treatment progress.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Cancer Research
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Cancers are a major global health challenge, historically treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- Adult stem cells (ASCs) possess tissue regeneration and repair capabilities, making them promising for cancer treatment.
- ASCs' inherent ability to home in on tumor sites offers a strategy to reduce systemic toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Adult stem cells represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome challenges and optimize ASC-based treatments.
- Engineered ASCs hold promise for improving the safety and effectiveness of cancer interventions.
More Related Videos
10:57Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Generation of Tumor Antigen-specific T Cells
Published on: October 24, 2019
05:08Targeted and Selective Treatment of Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Teratomas Using External Beam Radiation in a Small-animal Model
Published on: February 17, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Stem Cell Culture
Adult Stem Cells
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...