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The role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer therapy: friend or foe?

ZHOU Shu-Ting¹, JIANG Jian-Ping^2,*

¹College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China；²Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neuro Biology, Fuzhou 350117, China

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can adhere to plastic surfaces and express specific differentiation markers such as CD73, CD90, and CD105. They can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, or adipocytes in vitro and do not express markers like CD14, CD34, CD45, CD11b, CD19, and HLA-DR. MSCs play a complex role in cancer therapy, acting as both a potential ally and an adversary. On one hand, MSCs can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis by modulating signaling pathways and immune responses, exerting anti-tumor effects. On the other hand, they may enhance the invasiveness, metastatic ability, and angiogenesis of tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor progression. The impact of MSCs on tumors depends on their intrinsic properties, the tumor microenvironment, and the activation or inhibition of signaling pathways. Therefore, in cancer treatment, it is necessary to consider these factors comprehensively and optimize the application strategies of MSCs. This article reviews the characteristics of MSCs, their dual roles and mechanisms in cancer therapy, and proposes the idea and strategy of "turning enemies into friends" to achieve breakthroughs in MSC-based cancer treatments and to safely and effectively apply them in clinical practice.

Key words: mesenchymal stem cells; tumor therapy; tumor microenvironment

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 江剑平　　E-mail:

DOI: 0.13294/j.aps.2025.0092

Citing This Article：

ZHOU Shu-Ting, JIANG Jian-Ping. The role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer therapy: friend or foe?. Acta Physiol Sin 2026; 78 (2): 306-314 (in Chinese with English abstract).