Metabolic Mayhem in the Tumor Microenvironment: Can Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Restore Order?
摘要
The escalating incidence of cancer, now the leading cause of mortality globally, demands exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches. While conventional methods focus on tumor ablation, regenerative medicine offers a transformative perspective. This chapter dissects the intricate architecture of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its metabolic reprogramming, emphasizing key adaptations like hypoxia-induced metabolic shifts, the Warburg effect, and the reverse Warburg effect, and alterations in amino acid and fatty acid metabolism. Taking center stage is the multifaceted role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) within the TME. We explore the paradoxical nature of MSCs, capable of both promoting and suppressing tumor growth. The chapter unpacks the pro-tumorigenic effects of MSCs, while simultaneously detailing their therapeutic potential through their secretome, exosomes, and the application of amniotic membrane and its resident stem cells in cancer treatment. By elucidating this intricate interplay between tumor metabolism and MSCs, this work sheds light on the “dual role” of stem cells in targeting cancer metabolism. It paves the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies that leverage the power of regenerative medicine to effectively combat this formidable disease.