Review
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World J Stem Cells. Feb 26, 2010; 2(1): 5-12
Published online Feb 26, 2010. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v2.i1.5
The bad and the good of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer: Boosters of tumor growth and vehicles for targeted delivery of anticancer agents
Umberto Galderisi, Antonio Giordano, Marco G Paggi
Umberto Galderisi, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
Umberto Galderisi, Department of Experimental Medicine, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Section, Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy; Human Health Foundation, Terni 05100, Italy
Antonio Giordano, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States; Human Health Foundation, Terni 05100, Italy
Marco G Paggi, National Cancer Institute “Regina Elena”, Rome 00144, Italy
Author contributions: Galderisi U, Giordano A and Paggi MG performed analysis interpretation of data, drafted the article and finally approved the version to be published.
Supported by Grants from Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) to Paggi MG; Ministero della Salute grants to Paggi MG; and from Sbarro Health Research Organization funds to Galderisi U and Giordano A
Correspondence to: Umberto Galderisi, PhD, Department of Experimental Medicine, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Section, Second University of Naples, Via Costantinopoli 16, Napoli 80138, Italy. umberto.galderisi@unina2.it
Telephone: +39-81-5667585 Fax: +39-81-5667547
Received: December 1, 2009
Revised: January 12, 2010
Accepted: January 19, 2010
Published online: February 26, 2010
Abstract

In cancer biology, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display aspects that can appear contradictory. On one hand, these cells possess several features which give them the ability to specifically target and then sustain cancer cells in their ability to survive the multifaceted host response against cancer. On the other hand, due to this excellent aptitude to home-in on tumor tissues, regardless their location in the host’s body, MSCs are considered to be extremely selective vehicles to reach cancer cells specifically. Recently, MSC sustainment of cancer cell growth is a hot research topic. Indeed, these cells are known to sustain tumor angiogenesis and metastasis formation, to create a microenvironment favorable for cancer cell growth and to down-modulate the immune system capabilities in the host organism. On the other hand, since scientists became able to take advantage of their extremely selective capability to target cancer cells, MSCs are now also thought of in a different light. Indeed, MSCs are now considered a promising vehicle for local expression or delivery of even particularly toxic anticancer agents, ranging from Herpes Simplex Virus to locally-acting antineoplastic drugs. On this basis, investigation is now focused on how to impair the pro-neoplastic features of MSCs on one hand whilst taking advantage of their specific tropism toward cancer cells, on the other. As with the two faces of Janus, this review will concisely explore the research activity in these two apparently conflicting fields.

Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells, Cancer, Cell therapy, Angiogenesis, Niche, Immunomodulation