Purpose: Current evidence indicates that an osteoblast lesion in prostate cancer is preceded by osteolysis. Thus, prevention of osteolysis would reduce complications of bone metastasis. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into osteoblast and produce osteoprotegerin, a decoy receptor for the receptor activator for nuclear factor kappaB ligand, naturally. The present study examined the potential of unmodified mesenchymal stem cells to prevent osteolytic bone lesions in a preclinical mouse model of prostate cancer.
Experimental design: The human prostate cancer cell line PC3 was implanted in tibiae of severe combined immunodeficient mice. After establishment of the tumor, either unmodified or genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing osteoprotegerin was injected at the site of tumor growth. The effects of therapy were monitored by bioluminescence imaging, micro-computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, and histomorphometry.
Results: Data indicated significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of tumor growth and restoration of bone in mice treated with unmodified and modified mesenchymal stem cells. Detailed analysis suggested that the donor mesenchymal stem cell inhibited tumor progression by producing woven bone around the growing tumor cells in the tibiae and by preventing osteoclastogenesis.
Conclusions: Overcoming the limitation of the number of mesenchymal stem cells available in the bone can provide significant amelioration for osteolytic damage without further modification.