Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies

Figure 1 Interactions between mesenchymal stem cells and cancer cells[27]. A: Tumor microenvironment release certain molecules to recruit mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to tumor. B: MSCs secret different molecules in distinct microenvironment to interact with tumor cells for homing, growth, and stemness of tumors. MSC: Mesenchymal stem cell.

Figure 2 The effects of hybrids (HGC-27 or SGC-7901 fused with mesenchymal stem cells) on gastric cancer[60]. A: The morphology of the two gastric cancer cell lines, hUCMSCs, HGC-27 fusion, and SGC-7901 fusion; B: The growth of the parental and hybrid cells was determined by cell counting assay; C: The expression of PCNA and CyclinD1 proteins in different groups; D: Representative images of the gastric tumor bearing mice; E: The images of the tumor tissues; F: Tumor weight; and G: Tumor volume. hUCMSCs: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; PCNA: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

Figure 3 The effects of mesenchymal stem cells on liver cancer in different stages[80]. A: The experimental protocol. Rats were administrated N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in drinking water for 14 wk. DEN + mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (Is) group was transplanted MSCs (1 × 10⁶) by intravenous injection at 4^th, 6^th, 8^th week, and DEN + MSC (Ps) group was transplanted MSCs (1 × 10⁶) as the same method at the 10^th, 12^th, 14^th week, respectively. B: The rat percent survival in different groups. C: The macro phase and H&E images of liver in DEN and DEN + MSCs (Is) groups at 14 wk after DEN treatment. D: Tumor incidence, tumor max volume, and ratio of liver/body weight in DEN and DEN+MSCs (Is) groups at 14^th week. E: The macro phase and H&E images of liver in DEN and DEN + MSCs (Ps) groups at 16 weeks after DEN treatment. F: Tumor incidence, tumor max volume, and ratio of liver/body weight in DEN and DEN + MSCs (Ps) groups at 16^th week. DEN: N-diethylnitrosamine; MSCs: Mesenchymal stem cells; Is: Initial stage; Ps: Progressive stage; H&E: Hematoxylin-eosin.

Figure 4 Exosomes derived from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibited the development of pancreatic cancer[83]. A: Images of the tumor bearing mice in different groups; B: Images of resected tumors; C: Tumor volume; and D: Tumor weight.

Figure 5 Mesenchymal stem cells promote colorectal cancer progression via CCR5[99]. A: Scheme of co-inoculation mice model. HCT116-EV, HCT116 cells transfected with empty vector; HCT116-CCR5, HCT116 cells transfected with CCR5. B: Tumor volume curves in HCT116-EV and HCT116-CCR5 co-cultured with MSCs. C: Representative images of tumors and histological findings in HCT116-EV + MSCs and HCT116-CCR5 + MSCs groups. D: Scheme of treatment procedure. E: Tumor volume curves in HCT116-EV + MSCs and HCT116-CCR5 + MSCs groups. Dotted lines show treatment group with maraviroc 30 mg/kg/d, and solid lines show control group with vehicles.