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A Preclinical Mouse Model of Osteosarcoma to Define the Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Communication Between Tumor and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Published on: May 6, 2018
Recent advancements to engineer mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles for targeting and destroying
Mohsen Karami Fath1, Zahra Moayedi Banan2, Reza Barati3
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to migrate into tumor sites and release growth factors to modulate the tumor microenvironment. MSC therapy have shown a dual role in cancers, promoting or inhibiting. However, MSCs could be used as a carrier of anticancer agents for targeted tumor therapy. Recent technical improvements also allow engineering MSCs to improve tumor-targeting properties, protect anticancer agents, and decrease the cytotoxicity of drugs. While some of MSC functions are mediated through their secretome, MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are also proposed as a possible viechle for cancer therapy. EVs allow efficient loading of anticancer agents and have an intrinsic ability to target tumor cells, making them suitable for targeted therapy of tumors. In addition, the specificity and selectivity of EVs to the tumor sites could be enhanced by surface modification. In this review, we addressed the current approaches used for engineering MSCs and EVs to effectively target tumor sites and deliver anticancer agents.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) show promise for targeted cancer therapy. Engineering these cells and EVs enhances their ability to deliver anticancer agents directly to tumors, improving treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Therapy
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can infiltrate tumors and influence the tumor microenvironment, exhibiting dual roles in cancer progression.
- MSCs offer potential as carriers for targeted anticancer drug delivery.
- MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as promising therapeutic vehicles due to their tumor-targeting capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current engineering strategies for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- To highlight methods for enhancing tumor targeting and anticancer agent delivery using engineered MSCs and EVs.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent advancements in engineering MSCs for improved tumor homing and drug protection.
- Analysis of techniques for modifying MSC-derived EVs to enhance tumor specificity and loading of therapeutic agents.
- Discussion of strategies to reduce drug cytotoxicity through MSC and EV engineering.
Main Results:
- Engineered MSCs demonstrate improved tumor targeting and controlled release of therapeutic payloads.
- MSC-derived EVs can be engineered for efficient loading of anticancer agents and enhanced tumor cell selectivity.
- Surface modification of EVs further refines their specificity and accumulation at tumor sites.
Conclusions:
- Engineering MSCs and their derived EVs presents a viable strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
- These engineered cells and vesicles offer a platform for precise delivery of anticancer agents, potentially overcoming limitations of conventional treatments.
- Further development in MSC and EV engineering holds significant promise for advancing tumor-targeted drug delivery systems.
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