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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

A Preclinical Mouse Model of Osteosarcoma to Define the Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Communication Between Tumor and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Published on: May 6, 2018
Navigating the tumor microenvironment: mesenchymal stem cell-mediated delivery of anticancer agents
Muhammad Ahsan Waqar1, Muhammad Zaman2, Rabeel Khan3
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lahore University of Biological & Applied Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Scientific knowledge of cancer has advanced greatly throughout the years, with most recent studies findings includes many hallmarks that capture disease's multifaceted character. One of the novel approach utilised for the delivery of anti-cancer agents includes mesenchymal stem cell mediated drug delivery. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-haematopoietic progenitor cells that may be extracted from bone marrow, tooth pulp, adipose tissue and placenta/umbilical cord blood dealing with adult stem cells. MSCs are mostly involved in regeneration of tissue, they have also been shown to preferentially migrate to location of several types of tumour in-vivo. Usage of MSCs ought to improve both effectiveness and safety of anti-cancer drugs by enhancing delivery efficiency of anti-cancer therapies to tumour site. Numerous researches has demonstrated that various drugs, when delivered via mesenchymal stem cell mediated delivery can elicit anti-tumour effect of cells in cancers of breast cells and thyroid cells. MSCs have minimal immunogenicity because to lack of co-stimulatory molecule expression, which means there is no requirement for immunosuppression after allogenic transplantation. This current review elaborates recent advancements of mesenchyma stem cell mediated drug delivery of anti-cancer agents along with its mechanism and previously reported studies of drugs manufactured via this drug delivery system.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a novel approach for targeted anti-cancer drug delivery. This method enhances drug effectiveness and safety by directing therapies to tumor sites, showing promise in breast and thyroid cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer research has identified key hallmarks of the disease.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells with regenerative properties.
- MSCs exhibit inherent tumor-homing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated drug delivery for anti-cancer agents.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying MSC-based drug delivery.
- To summarize existing studies on anti-cancer drugs delivered via MSCs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific studies.
- Analysis of MSC properties, including migration and immunogenicity.
- Compilation of data on anti-cancer drugs delivered using MSCs.
Main Results:
- MSCs can be isolated from various tissues and possess tumor-targeting potential.
- MSC-mediated delivery enhances anti-cancer drug efficacy and safety by concentrating agents at tumor sites.
- Studies show efficacy in breast and thyroid cancer models.
- MSCs have low immunogenicity, reducing the need for immunosuppression in allogeneic transplantation.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stem cell-mediated drug delivery is a promising strategy for improving anti-cancer therapy.
- The tumor-homing and low immunogenicity of MSCs make them suitable vectors for targeted cancer treatment.
- Further research into MSC-based drug delivery systems can lead to more effective cancer treatments.
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