New insights in application of mesenchymal stem cells therapy in tumor microenvironment: pros and cons

Abstract

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely accepted as a useful tool for cell-based therapy of various diseases including malignancies. The therapeutic effects of MSCs are mainly attributed to their immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties. Despite the promising outcomes of MSCs in cancer therapy, a growing body of evidence implies that MSCs also show tumorigenic properties in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which might lead to tumor induction and progression. Owing to the broad-spectrum applications of MSCs, this challenge needs to be tackled so that they can be safely utilized in clinical practice. Herein, we review the diverse activities of MSCs in TME and highlight the potential methods to convert their protumorigenic characteristics into onco-suppressive effects.

The Role of Human and Animal Monocytes and Macrophages in Homeostasis and Disease

“…Another area of interest is the multilevel, reciprocal interaction between macrophages and stem cells. This is especially important for the emerging applications of mesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic use [32]. Studies show that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can communicate with macrophages, either via direct cell-cell contact, the secretion of soluble factors, or organelle transfer, and modulate macrophage proliferation, phagocytosis, and functional activation.…”