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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
High Throughput Characterization of Adult Stem Cells Engineered for Delivery of Therapeutic Factors for Neuroprotective Strategies
Published on: January 4, 2015
The therapeutic effect of MSCs and their extracellular vesicles on neuroblastoma
Mohsen Karami Fath1, Samaneh Mohammad Bagherzadeh Torbati2, Vahid Saqagandomabadi3
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Neuroblastoma is a common inflammatory-related cancer during infancy. Standard treatment modalities including surgical interventions, high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are not able to increase survival rate and reduce tumor relapse in high-risk patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their tumor-targeting and immunomodulating properties. MSCs could be engineered to express anticancer agents (i.e., growth factors, cytokines, pro-apoptotic agents) or deliver oncolytic viruses in the tumor microenvironment. As many functions of MSCs are mediated through their secretome, researchers have tried to use extracellular vesicles (EVs) from MSCs for targeted therapy of neuroblastoma. Here, we reviewed the studies to figure out whether the use of MSCs could be worthwhile in neuroblastoma therapy or not. Native MSCs have shown a promoting or inhibiting role in cancers including neuroblastoma. Therefore, MSCs are proposed as a vehicle to deliver anticancer agents such as oncolytic viruses to the neuroblastoma tumor microenvironment. Although modified MSCs or their EVs have been shown to suppress the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma, further pre-clinical and clinical studies are required to come to a conclusion.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential for treating infant neuroblastoma. Engineered MSCs and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) may deliver anticancer agents, but further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Neuroblastoma is a prevalent infant cancer with limited treatment success in high-risk cases.
- Standard therapies often fail to improve survival rates or prevent relapse.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess tumor-targeting and immunomodulatory capabilities relevant to cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing research on the therapeutic potential of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for neuroblastoma.
- To evaluate the feasibility of using MSCs and their derivatives for neuroblastoma treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in neuroblastoma.
- Analysis of MSCs' native roles and engineered applications in cancer therapy.
- Examination of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from MSCs for targeted delivery.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit dual roles, potentially promoting or inhibiting neuroblastoma growth.
- Engineered MSCs can serve as vehicles for delivering oncolytic viruses and other anticancer agents.
- Modified MSCs and their EVs demonstrate efficacy in suppressing neuroblastoma tumorigenesis in preclinical models.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising platform for neuroblastoma therapy, particularly when engineered or used as extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- Further rigorous preclinical and clinical investigations are essential to validate the safety and efficacy of MSC-based neuroblastoma treatments.
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