AUTHOR=Shammaa Riam , El-Kadiry Abed El-Hakim , Abusarah Jamilah , Rafei Moutih TITLE=Mesenchymal Stem Cells Beyond Regenerative Medicine JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology VOLUME=8 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.00072 DOI=10.3389/fcell.2020.00072 ISSN=2296-634X ABSTRACT=

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are competent suitors of cellular therapy due to their therapeutic impact on tissue degeneration and immune-based pathologies. Additionally, their homing and immunomodulatory properties can be exploited in cancer malignancies to transport pharmacological entities, produce anti-neoplastic agents, or induce anti-tumor immunity. Herein, we create a portfolio for MSC properties, showcasing their distinct multiple therapeutic utilities and successes/challenges thereof in both animal studies and clinical trials. We further highlight the promising potential of MSCs not only in cancer management but also in instigating tumor-specific immunity – i.e., cancer vaccination. Finally, we reflect on the possible reasons impeding the clinical advancement of MSC-based cancer vaccines to assist in contriving novel methodologies from which a therapeutic milestone might emanate.