Mesenchymal stem cells in cancer therapy; the art of harnessing a foe to a friend.

ABSTRACT: For a long time, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were discussed only as stem cells which could give rise to different types of cells. However, when it became clear that their presence in the tumor microenvironment (TME) was like a green light for tumorigenesis, they emerged from the ashes. This review was arranged to provide a comprehensive and precise description of MSCs' role in regulating tumorigenesis and to discuss the dark and the bright sides of cancer treatment strategies using MSCs. To gather the details about MSCs, we made an intensive literature review using keywords, including MSCs, tumor microenvironment, tumorigenesis, and targeted therapy. Through transferring cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs, MSCs maintain the cancer stem cell population, increase angiogenesis, provid

SUBMITTER: Karimi-Shahri M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8769515 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature