Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome: A tumor regulator and carrier for targeted tumor therapy

• Published in: Cancer letters Vol. 526; pp. 29 - 40
• Main Authors: Zhang, Fusheng, Guo, Jinshuai, Zhang, Zhenghou, Qian, Yiping, Wang, Guang, Duan, Meiqi, Zhao, Haiying, Yang, Zhi, Jiang, Xiaofeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.02.2022; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Body fat; Bone marrow; Cancer therapies; Cell cycle; Cell differentiation; Cell growth; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Drug delivery; Drug resistance; Exosomes; Exosomes - metabolism; Fibroblasts; Gastric cancer; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Immune response; Immunomodulatory; Immunosuppressive agents; Kinases; Ligands; Medical prognosis; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Metastasis; MicroRNAs; Neoplasms - therapy; Signal transduction; Stem cells; Stromal cells; Targeted tumor therapy; Tumor associated MSCs-derived exosomes; Tumors; Umbilical cord; Drug delivery; Immunomodulatory; Targeted tumor therapy; Tumor associated MSCs-derived exosomes; Mesenchymal stem cells
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.11.015

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types. Several studies have shown that exosomes secreted by MSCs (MSCs-Exo) play an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and drug resistance. However, contradictory results have suggested that MSCs-Exo can also suppress tumors through specific mechanisms, such as regulating immune responses and intercellular signaling. Consequently, the relationship between MSCs-Exo and tumors remains controversial. However, it is undeniable that exosomes, as natural vesicles, can be excellent drug carriers and show promise for application in targeted tumor therapy. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the involvement of MSCs-Exo in tumor progression and their potential as drug delivery systems in targeted therapy. We argue that MSCs‐Exo can be used as safe carriers of antitumor drugs. •MSCs-Exo can regulate tumor progression through tumor microenvironment remodeling.•MSCs-Exo can be used for targeted tumor therapy by certain means such as engineering and folic acid receptors.•MSCs-Exo is an excellent carrier for chemotherapeutic agents and shows promising applications.