The pioneeristic studies, started thirty years ago, were able to uncover an interesting bone marrow derived cell population named as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). This cell type, used in the last decade in both pre-clinical and clinical phases in several fields of biomedical sciences, opened up innovative branches of translational research. In this review we analyze the biological background of the MSC with the purpose to identify their actual therapeutical applications with a special focus on their possible future role in oncology
