Stem cells (SC) are the seeds of tissue repair and regeneration that have been extensively investigated as tumor-tropic vectors for gene delivery to solid cancers. SC have an inherent glioma tropism that supports their use as reliable vehicles to deliver therapeutic gene products to brain neoplasms. Several types of adult SC (ASC) have been used to carry antiglioma agents, and neural SC (NSC) and mesenchymal SC (MSC) are the most studied. The therapeutic cargoes that have been tested include secreted proteins, converting enzyme/prodrug suicide combinations, oncolytic viruses, antibodies, and nanoparticles. Some of these preclinical studies have advanced to phase I clinical trials. Use of SC as carriers to deliver various antitumor agents could become a valuable therapeutic option for glioma patients in the future.
© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.