Application of Stem Cells in Targeted Therapy of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether stem cells could be effectivelyapplied in targeted therapy of breast cancer. Material and
Method: A systematic literature search was performedfor original articles published from January 2007 until May 2012.
Results: Nine studies met the inclusioncriteria for phase I or II clinical trials, of which three used stem cells as vehicles, two trials used autologoushematopoetic stem cells and in four trials cancer stem cells were targeted. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)were applied as cellular vehicles to transfer therapeutic agents. Cell therapy with MSC can successfully targetresistant cancers. Cancer stem cells were selectively targeted via a proteasome-dependent suicide gene leadingto tumor regression. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been also evidenced to be an attractive CSC-target.
Conclusions: This systematic review focused on two different concepts of stem cells and breast cancer markinga turning point in the trials that applied stem cells as cellular vehicles for targeted delivery therapy as well asCSC-targeted therapies. Applying stem cells as targeted therapy could be an effective therapeutic approach fortreatment of breast cancer in the clinic and in therapeutic marketing; however this needs to be confirmed withfurther clinical investigations.