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Applications of Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Targeted Systems against Tumor Cells
Elsa N Garza Treviño1, Adriana G Quiroz Reyes1, Paulina Delgado Gonzalez1
1Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Abstract:
Combined gene and cell therapy are promising strategies for cancer treatment. Given the complexity of cancer, several approaches are actively studied to fight this disease. Using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has demonstrated dual antitumor and protumor effects as they exert massive immune/regulatory effects on the tissue microenvironment. MSCs have been widely investigated to exploit their antitumor target delivery system. They can be genetically modified to overexpress genes and selectively or more efficiently eliminate tumor cells. Current approaches tend to produce more effective and safer therapies using MSCs or derivatives; however, the effect achieved by engineered MSCs in solid tumors is still limited and depends on several factors such as the cell source, transgene, and tumor target. This review describes the progress of gene and cell therapy focused on MSCs as a cornerstone against solid tumors, addressing the different MSC-engineering methods that have been approached over decades of research. Furthermore, we summarize the main objectives of engineered MSCs against the most common cancers and discuss the challenges, limitations, risks, and advantages of targeted treatments combined with conventional ones.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer dual roles in cancer therapy. This review explores engineered MSCs for solid tumor treatment, detailing methods, objectives, and challenges for improved cancer gene and cell therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit complex immune-modulatory effects, presenting both antitumor and protumor potential in cancer treatment.
- MSCs are explored as delivery vehicles for gene and cell therapy, with genetic modification aiming to enhance their tumor-targeting and cancer-eliminating capabilities.
- Despite advancements, the efficacy of engineered MSCs in solid tumors remains constrained by factors including cell source, transgene choice, and tumor microenvironment interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of gene and cell therapy utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a core strategy against solid tumors.
- To address various MSC engineering methods developed over decades of research.
- To summarize the therapeutic objectives of engineered MSCs for common cancers and discuss associated challenges and benefits.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based gene and cell therapy for solid tumors.
- Analysis of different MSC engineering techniques and their outcomes.
- Discussion of challenges, limitations, risks, and advantages of engineered MSCs in combination with conventional cancer therapies.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be engineered to enhance their antitumor effects, acting as targeted delivery systems for gene and cell therapies.
- Various genetic modification strategies have been employed to improve MSC efficacy against solid tumors.
- The effectiveness of engineered MSCs is influenced by the specific cancer type, the genetic modifications, and the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising frontier in combined gene and cell therapy for solid tumors.
- Further research into MSC engineering methods and understanding tumor-specific interactions is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes.
- Addressing the challenges and risks associated with engineered MSCs is essential for their successful clinical translation in cancer treatment.
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