An overview of the role of stem cells in cancer therapy
An overview of the role of stem cells in cancer therapy
Kimiya Shams,1,*
1. Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction: Cancer therapy has relied on various pharmacological and radiation-based interventions. There are numerous challenges in clinical cancer therapy. Often, the main cause is drug resistance. Stem cell therapy is a new and unique area of research in cancer therapy. Researching on the role of stem cells in cancer progression will lead to new therapies. It can target cancer cells at the first levels of pathogenesis. One of the other issues of chemotherapy is its lethal side effects, a focus on genetic and molecular therapies can provide the advancement of therapies of cancer with reducing side effects. Furthermore, the similarity between gene and surface antigen expression between embryonic stem cells and cancer cells represents that these cells can be used as an antitumor factor. Hence, here it is explored the role of stem cells in cancer therapy. It is observed that this stem cell vaccination could prevent the growth of tumors that were transplanted after the vaccination. Undifferentiated stem cells are powerful immunogens for generating an effective immune response against colon carcinoma, moreover, these cells induced strong tumor-specific cellular immune responses. Stem cells vaccination would increase lymphocytes and cytokines, so it leads to an antitumor effect. The tropism of mesenchymal stem cells to tumor sites makes them a suitable vector for therapeutic agent delivery to tumors and metastatic zones. Stem cells can be genetically modified to encode tumor suppressor genes, in addition, other techniques include stem cells loading with nanoparticles. Mesenchymal microvesicles are new drug delivery vectors. We summarized several studies in the fields of stem cells for immunization against tumors, using stem cells as drug carriers. Mesenchymal stem cells, which are undifferentiated cells with multifaceted potency and have the potential to regenerate themselves and differentiate into different cell lines, act as biological agents by regulating the immune system and releasing cytokines and chemokines into the inflammatory site. they do. These cells also play a very important role as carriers in delivering the drug to the original site of the tumor or the resulting metastasis. some research on immunization against tumors showed that mice immunized with embryonic cells could inhibit tumor growth. The unique capability of these cells is their versatility and long-term ability to self-renew. These properties enable them to repair and replace damaged tissue at the site of injury. In addition, these cells are inherently capable of migrating to areas of injury. As a result, they are discussed as a powerful tool in the treatment of chronic and cellular diseases Cancer, tissue engineering studies, and pharmaceutical applications
Methods: There is no methods part in review papers
Results: According to studies, mesenchymal stem cells in response to chemotactic signals released by pathogens or cells infected with these agents as well as abnormal cells can migrate to them. Consequently, these cells can be a good carrier for the transport of anticancer agents to the tumor site. Moreover, their therapeutic effects, which are related to their secretory factors, regulate innate and acquired immunity. In conclusion, clinical studies have shown that Mesenchymal stem cells are emerging as promising anti-cancer agents which have an enormous potential to be utilized to treat several different cancer types. MSC has inherent tumor-trophic migratory properties, which allows them to serve as vehicles for delivering effective, targeted therapy to isolated tumors and metastatic disease. MSC have been readily engineered to express anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic agents that specifically target different cancer types.
Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cells can regenerate and differentiate into different cell lines, and act as biological agents by regulating the immune system, and play a significant role as carriers in delivering the anticancer drugs to the original site of the tumor, and replace the damaged tissue.