Research advances in the role of gastric cancer‑derived mesenchymal stem cells in tumor progression (Review)

Abstract

Gastric cancer (Gc) is one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in the world. The carcinogenesis and development of Gc involves complicated steps and various factors, in which the tumor microenvironment serves a vital role. Mesenchymal stem cells (MScs), also known as mesenchymal stromal cells, are multipotent stromal cells, and have gained increasing attention due to their wound-healing ability, as well as their tumor-promoting potential. MScs are essential components of the tumor microenvironment and serve important roles in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. The present review focuses on Gc and discusses recent advances in understanding the effect of Gc-derived MSc-like cells (Gc-MScs) on tumor progression, chemoresistance and immune escape. Additionally, the mechanism underlying the tumor tropism of bone marrow-derived MScs and the malignant transition of these cells to Gc-MScs are addressed. The potential of Gc-MScs in the treatment of Gc, such as for predicting prognosis and as therapeutic targets, is also discussed in association with their critical role in tumor progression. The information on the characteristics and functions of Gc-MScs provided in the present review may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies against Gc. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Biological characteristics of Gc-MScs 3. Formation of Gc-MScs 4. Effects of Gc-MScs on tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment 5. Therapeutic opportunities for Gc-MScs 6. conclusions

Mesenchymal stem cell‐exosome‐mediated matrix metalloproteinase 1 participates in oral leukoplakia and carcinogenesis by inducing angiogenesis

“…MSCs recruited to the TME have a unique expression profile and proto‐oncogenic function, and are considered to be a subset of cells with the highest tumorigenic ability and are associated with tumor recurrence. MSCs modulate the TME via autocrine and paracrine production of promotive factors related to tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, inflammation, and metastasis 9–11 . Exosomes, as the main paracrine products of MSCs, can maintain structural stability and prevent the degradation of contents 12 .…”

“…MSCs modulate the TME via autocrine and paracrine production of promotive factors related to tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, inflammation, and metastasis. [9][10][11] Exosomes, as the main paracrine products of MSCs, can maintain structural stability and prevent the degradation of contents. 12 Exosomes play an important role in the microenvironment of OLK malignant transformation and OSCC metastasis.…”