Engineered mesenchymal stem/stromal cells against cancer

Cell Death Dis. 2025 Feb 19;16(1):113. doi: 10.1038/s41419-025-07443-0.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have garnered attention for their potential in cancer therapy due to their ability to home to tumor sites. Engineered MSCs have been developed to deliver therapeutic proteins, microRNAs, prodrugs, chemotherapy drugs, and oncolytic viruses directly to the tumor microenvironment, with the goal of enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Despite promising results in preclinical studies and clinical trials, challenges such as variability in delivery efficiency and safety concerns persist. Ongoing research aims to optimize MSC-based cancer eradication and immunotherapy, enhancing their specificity and efficacy in cancer treatment. This review focuses on advancements in engineering MSCs for tumor-targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Engineering*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment