title: Advances in mesenchymal stem cell-mediated gene therapy for cancer.
abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells have a natural tropism for tumours and their metastases, and are also considered immunoprivileged. This remarkable combination of properties has formed the basis for many studies investigating their potential as tumour-specific delivery vehicles for suicide genes, oncolytic viruses and secreted therapeutic proteins. The aim of the present review is to discuss the range of approaches that have been used to exploit the tumour-homing capacity of mesenchymal stem cells for gene delivery, and to highlight advances required to realize the full potential of this promising approach.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, School of Medicine, Clinical Science Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. roisin.dwyer@nuigalway.ie
authors.forename: Roisin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kerin
mesh_terms: D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*