Dual role of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their cell‐free extracellular vesicles in colorectal cancer

• Published in: Cell biochemistry and function 2024-03, Vol.42 (2), p.e3962-n/a
• Main Authors: Saadh, Mohamed J., Mohamed, Asma'a H., Almoyad, Muhammad Ali Abdullah, Allela, Omer Qutaiba B., Amin, Ali H., Malquisto, April Ann, Jin, Wong Tze, Sârbu, Ioan, AlShamsi, Faisal, Elsaid, Fahmy Gad, Akhavan‐Sigari, Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Biomarkers; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cell differentiation; Cell interactions; Cell proliferation; cell‐free therapy; Chemotherapy; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; Differentiation (biology); Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Immune system; mesenchymal stromal cells; Metastases; Metastasis; Microenvironments; Paracrine signalling; Regenerative medicine; Stem cells; Stromal cells; Tissue engineering; Tumor cells; Tumor microenvironment; Tumors; Vesicles
• ISSN: 0263-6484; 1099-0844
• DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3962

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer‐related deaths. However, the surgical control of the CRC progression is difficult, and in most cases, the metastasis leads to cancer‐related mortality. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) with potential translational applications in regenerative medicine have been widely researched for several years. MSCs could affect tumor development through secreting exosomes. The beneficial properties of stem cells are attributed to their cell–cell interactions as well as the secretion of paracrine factors in the tissue microenvironment. For several years, exosomes have been used as a cell‐free therapy to regulate the fate of tumor cells in a tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the recent advances and current understanding of assessing MSC‐derived exosomes for possible cell‐free therapy in CRC. Significant statement The current analysis explores the potential contribution of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in colorectal cancer through the release of extracellular vesicles. These vesicles' contents play a significant role in fostering tumor microenvironments, stimulating cancer cell proliferation, prompting stromal cell differentiation, encouraging angiogenesis, fostering premetastatic niche establishment, and facilitating invasion. Additionally, extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in modulating immune system responses and influencing resistance to anticancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and targeted agents. Beyond their role in promoting cancer advancement, these vesicles also contribute to cell invasion and metastasis, making them potential biomarkers for monitoring cancer progression. Consequently, both mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their extracellular vesicles hold promise as prospective cell‐free therapies in the context of colorectal cancer.