Role of mesenchymal stem cells in growth and progression of cancer and prospective potentials in cancer therapy

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are present in most tissues of the body. These cells are involved in various biological processes, such as maintaining tissue homeostasis and wound healing. Recent studies have shown that tumor associated MSCs (TA-MSCs) are also present in tumor microenvironment (TME) of most solid tumors. MSCs have a strong tendency to migration toward tumor tissues. Once entering are TME, MSCs educated by tumor cells and other factors in the TME and become TA-MSCs. Study of the relationship between MSCs and cancer cells revealed that MSCs have a controversial role against cancer cells. Although some findings suggest that MSCs can reduce the growth of tumor cells, but most studies have shown an undeniable role of these cells in supporting of growth and progression of cancer. In this review article, we have accumulated some of the most important findings related to TA-MSCs and their interaction with cancer cells for immune system evation, metastasis, also their effects on the tumor cells behavior and other existing cells in TME. Lastly, we briefly explaine and classify some therapeutic solutions against tumors based on the features of MSCs.