title: Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells in liver cancer: implications for tumor biology and therapy.
abstract: Remodeling of tumor microenvironment is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Being a pivotal part of tumor stroma, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), also known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are recruited and enriched in liver tumors. Owing to their tumor tropism, MSCs are now emerging as vehicles for anticancer drug/gene delivery against liver cancer. However, the exact impact of MSCs on liver cancer remains elusive, as a variety of effects of these cells that have been reported included a plethora of tumor-promoting effects and anti-oncogenic properties. This review aims to dissect the mechanistic insight regarding this observed discrepancy in different experimental settings of liver cancer. Furthermore, we call for caution using MSCs to treat liver cancer or even premalignant liver diseases, before conclusive evidence for safety and efficacy having been obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pratika Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Hernanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedroza-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sprengers
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maikel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Peppelenbosch
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: q.pan@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Qiuwei
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
keywords: Dual role; Liver cancer; Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells