Fetal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be utilized as delivery vehicles for cancer therapeutics. During the last decade, bone marrow MSCs have been used as delivery vehicles for the local production of therapeutic proteins in multiple tumor types, taking advantage of their innate tropism to the tumor site and their low immunogenicity. More recently, MSCs have been isolated from fetal tissues during gestation or after birth. Fetal MSCs derived from amniotic fluid, amniotic membrane, umbilical cord matrix (Wharton's jelly) and umbilical cord blood are more advantageous than adult MSCs, as they can be isolated noninvasively in large numbers without the ethical reservations associated with embryo research. Several studies have documented that fetal MSCs harbor a therapeutic potential in cancer treatment, as they can home to the tumor site and reduce tumor burden. This natural tumor tropism together with their low immunogenicity renders fetal MSCs as powerful therapeutic tools in gene therapy-based cancer therapeutic schemes. This review summarizes various approaches where the tumor-homing capacity of fetal MSCs has been employed for the localized delivery of anti-tumor therapeutic agents.

Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stromal cells have contrasting effects on proliferation and phenotype of cancer stem cells from different subtypes of lung cancer

“…from amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood and umbilical cord) harbor therapeutic potential in cancer treatment, as they can target the tumor site and reduce tumor burden [7]. In particular, WJMSC have been reported to reduce the growth of human breast carcinoma [8], prostate cancer [9], osteosarcoma and ovarian carcinoma cells [10].…”

The targeted inhibitory effects of human amniotic fluid stem cells carrying CXCR4 promoter and DAL-1 on non-small cell lung carcinoma growth

“…First of all, the isolated and cultured hAFS cells were identified to be mesenchymal stem cells, as they highly express the MSC specific cell surface marker proteins CD29, CD44, CD90 and CD105. 23,24 Moreover, we demonstrated that hAFS cells possess homing capability, which is the key feature for the utilization of them as gene therapy carrier. This homing ability of hAFS cells might be via CXCR4 mediated signaling, as we found hAFS cells did express CXCR4, and a previous report demonstrated that CXCR4/SDF-1 axis played a notable role in promoting the homing of MSCs to tumors.…”

“…27 Similar results were reported in breast and ovarian cancers. 24,28 In addition, the infection efficiency of conditionally replicative adenovirus vector on hAFS cells was also important for the success of this study. Previously, researchers pointed out that lacking of specific adenovirus receptor on MSCs could lead to infection failure of adenovirus.…”

A novel function for amniotic fluid: Original or authentic?

“…5 There is growing recognition that AF is a rich source of stem cells with potential applications ranging from intestinal disease 6 and neuronal regeneration 7 to cancer therapy. 8 Tong's 1 review title may lack a sense of originality, but it is more important to be authentic. The hypothesis that is presented is both supported by reasonable observations of the author and timely, given our improved ability to characterize signaling organelles in body fluids 9 and the potential for molecular characterization to predict critical events, including the health of the fetus and integrity of the amniotic membrane.…”