Mesenchymal stem cells as therapeutic delivery vehicles targeting tumor stroma

The field of stem cell biology continues to evolve by characterization of further types of stem cells and by exploring their therapeutic potential for experimental and clinical applications. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are one of the most promising candidates simply because of their easiness of both ex vivo expansion in culture dishes and genetic manipulation. Despite many extensive isolation and expansion studies, relatively little has been done with regard to hMSCs' therapeutic potential. Although clinical trials using hMSCs are underway, their use in cancer therapy still needs better understanding and in vivo supporting data. The homing ability of hMSCs was investigated by creating a human xenograft model by transplanting an ovarian cancer cell line into immunocompromised mice. Then, genetically engineered hMSC-telo1 cells were injected through the tail vein and the contribution and distribution of hMSCs to the tumor stroma were investigated by immunohistochemistry and PCR specific to the telomerase gene. Results show that exogenously administered hMSCs preferentially home, engraft, and proliferate at tumor sites and contribute to the population of stromal fibroblasts. In conclusion, this study provides support for the capacity of hMSCs to home to tumor site and serve as a delivery platform for chemotherapeutic agent