Double Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Therapy and Induction of Tumors

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death all around the world with an estimated 1.2 million new cases and a half million deaths each year. Although some curing methods such as surgery and chemotherapy are used in the early stage of CRC, targeted therapy is one of the principal modes of cancer treatment that could be a reliable and noninvasive strategy. It seems that Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) which are undifferentiated and multipotent with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into several distinct cell lineages, are emerging as a targeted anticancer agent and exert their biological and therapeutical activity through immune system modulation and release of cytokines and chemokines to the tumor site. These cells also play a significant role as a carrier to delivery drug to the primary site or metastasis of tumors. There are some studies on MSC`s potential to destroy tumors by inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. In contrast, tumor tendency is one of the most important characteristics of MSCs in which Adipose Derived MSCs (ADSCs) are the cause of tumor growth and metastasis. Furthermore, obesity indicated that increase of adipose tissue and ADSCs are in association with colon and breast cancers. Therefore, the double-edge sword role of MSCs is revealed as a therapeutic agent.