Abstract
Due to their “tumor homing” and “immune privilege” characteristics, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been proposed as a novel tool against cancer. MSCs are genetically engineered in vitro and then utilized to deliver tumoricidal agents, including prodrugs and bioactive molecules, to tumors. The genetic modification of MSCs can be achieved by various vectors, and in most cases viral vectors are used; however, viruses may be associated with carcinogenesis and immunogenicity, restricting their clinical translational potential. As such, nonviral vectors have emerged as a potential solution to address these limitations and have gradually attracted increasing attention. In this review, we briefly revisit the current knowledge about MSC-based cancer gene therapy. Then, we summarize the advantages and challenges of nonviral vectors for MSC transfection. Finally, we discuss recent advances in the development of new nonviral vectors, which have provided promising strategies to overcome obstacles in the gene modulation of MSCs.
Highlights
Despite great advances in diagnosis and therapy, cancer is still a leading cause of death around the world [1]
We focus on gene delivery vectors that have been used for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based cancer gene therapy
It is anticipated that new strategies involving nonviral vectors will lead to a new era of MSC-based cancer gene therapy
Summary
Yuan Ding 1,2,3,4,5,6,† , Chenyang Wang 1,2,3,4,5,6,† , Zhongquan Sun 1,2,3,4,5,6 , Yingsheng Wu 1,2,3,4,5,6 , Wanlu You 1,2,3,4,5,6 , Zhengwei Mao 2,7, * and Weilin Wang 1,2,3,4,5,6, *. Research Center, Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China. Clinical Medicine Innovation Center, Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic. Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. MOE Key Laboratory, Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China. Mesenchymal Stem Cells Engineered by Nonviral Vectors: A Powerful Tool in Cancer Gene Therapy
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