Rearming mesenchymal stem cells with engineering strategies to combat cancer

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Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) can promote tumor growth through mechanisms like paracrine signaling and cell fusion with malignant cells.
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The CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis is a primary pathway for recruiting MSCs into the tumor microenvironment.
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MSCs exhibit a dual role in tumors, acting as either tumor-promoting agents or potential suppressors of tumor progression.
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Engineering MSCs for cancer treatment involves transforming them into targeted delivery vehicles for anticancer therapies.
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Challenges in utilizing MSCs for antitumor therapy include understanding their complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment.

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