Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer
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* Corresponding author: Roisin M Dwyer roisin.dwyer@nuigalway.ie
1 Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
2 Regenerative Medicine Institute, Orbsen building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland
Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2010, 1:25 doi:10.1186/scrt25
Published: 9 August 2010Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells have a natural tropism for tumours and their metastases, and are also considered immunoprivileged. This remarkable combination of properties has formed the basis for many studies investigating their potential as tumour-specific delivery vehicles for suicide genes, oncolytic viruses and secreted therapeutic proteins. The aim of the present review is to discuss the range of approaches that have been used to exploit the tumour-homing capacity of mesenchymal stem cells for gene delivery, and to highlight advances required to realize the full potential of this promising approach.