2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (36): 7872-7879

Role of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of colorectal cancer

Guo Zhao1, Zhuang Haoyan1, Shi Xuewen2   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Currently, the treatment methods for colorectal cancer include surgical resection and chemotherapy. However, the subsequent quality of life of patients cannot be improved due to the multiple surgical complications and drug resistance in the later stage of chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: To review the mechanism of action, latest progress and existing problems of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
METHODS: PubMed, CNKI and WanFang databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of “mesenchymal stem cells exosomes, colorectal cancer, chemotherapy, treatment” in Chinese and English, respectively. Finally, 96 articles were included for analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes play different roles in the treatment of colorectal cancer mainly through the microRNAs and long-chain non-coding RNAs carried by themselves to mediate different signaling pathways. (2) Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are highly stable and biocompatible, which makes them excellent carriers of therapeutic drugs. (3) Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes have different effects on resistance to different types of chemotherapeutic agents.

Key words: mesenchymal stem cell, exosome, colorectal cancer, chemotherapy, mechanism, potential target, carrier, engineered stem cell, review