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

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.