Mesenchymal stem cells in lung cancer tumor microenvironment: their biological properties, influence on tumor growth and therapeutic implications

Cancer Lett. 2014 Oct 28;353(2):145-52. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.07.047. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung cancer has been documented to play an important role in participating in tumor disease progression. As the precursor of most stroma in TME, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) draw great attention since evidence has suggested that MSCs derived from lung cancer patients present a different phenotype compared to their normal counterparts. Furthermore, MSCs could be recruited towards tumor sites and influence tumor survival, although the effect remains contradictory. Our review will summarize the current advance of the role MSCs in lung cancer and explore the possible treatment strategies by blocking their crosstalk.

Keywords: Lung cancer; Mesenchymal stem cells; Microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Radiation Injuries / therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment