Main description:

With the thorough understanding of stem cell biology and the advent of targeted therapeutics for cancer, stem cell-based therapeutic strategies are being increasingly explored for the treatment of various cancer types. Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cancer Therapy sheds light on current stem cell based targeted therapies for cancer, by focusing on the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in various cancers with emphasis on a number of aspects that are critical to the success of future stem cell based therapies for cancer. Sections of this publication are devoted to developing stem cell based therapies for cancer with the main focus on tumoritrophic properties of stem cells, engineering targeted therapeutics, utilization of imaging techniques and the recent combination studies utilizing currently employed therapeutics with stem cells. Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Cancer Therapy informs readers about critical and cutting edge stem cell therapies for cancer and also enables them to appreciate the vast plain of unresolved questions in stem cell research for cancer therapeutics.

Contents:

Introduction
MSC: Sources

MSC Migration

MSC for tumor therapy

Interferons
Growth factor antagonists
Pro-apoptotic proteins
MSC delivery of interleukins
Prodrugs
Oncolytic viruses
Antiangiogenic agents

Synergistic approaches utilizing MSC based therapeutics with other cancer treatment agents

Encapsulated MSC for therapy

In vivo imaging of MSC fate, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy

Optical imaging
Other imaging techniques

Clinical translation prospects and caveats
References