Engineering Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Nanomaterials for Tumor Microenvironment Regulation and Precision Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Tumor microenvironment (TME) hinders effective cancer therapy, promoting tumor progression and treatment resistance.
• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise as therapeutic carriers due to tumor-homing abilities, but unmodified MSCs have limited efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review engineering strategies for enhancing MSCs to modulate the TME and advance precision cancer therapy.
• To analyze nanotechnology-enabled approaches for overcoming TME-related challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on nanotechnology-enabled engineering strategies for MSCs.
• Analysis of TME features (hypoxia, immunosuppression, physical barriers) and how engineered MSCs address them.

Main Results:

• Engineered MSCs act as "bio-factories" secreting therapeutic agents via genetic modification.
• MSCs serve as "Trojan horse" carriers for nanomaterials, chemotherapy, and oncolytic viruses, enabling precise TME remodeling.
• These strategies enhance tumor targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and spatial control in solid tumors.

Conclusions:

• Integrating MSC biology with nanotechnology offers a potent platform for TME regulation and precision oncology.
• Engineered MSC-based therapies show significant promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment, addressing solid tumor challenges.
• Ongoing advances are overcoming barriers in safety, protumorigenic effects, and manufacturing scalability.