Mesenchymal stem cells - the secret agents of cancer immunotherapy: Promises, challenges, and surprising twists.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized for their immunomodulatory capabilities, tumor-homing abilities, and capacity to serve as carriers for therapeutic agents. This review delves into the role of adoptively transferred MSCs in tumor progression, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and their use in delivering anti-cancer drugs, oncolytic viruses, and genetic material. It also addresses the challenges and limitations associated with MSC therapy, such as variability in MSC preparations and potential tumorigenic effects emphasizing the need for advanced genetic engineering and personalized approaches to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The review concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of MSC-based therapies, underscoring their promise to develop effective and personalized cancer treatments.