Table 8 Current iPSC-based cancer therapies
From: Exploring the promising potential of induced pluripotent stem cells in cancer research and therapy
Therapy Name | Target Indication | Mechanism | Key Point | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
iPSC-Derived NK Cells | Solid Tumors | Natural Killer (NK) cells derived from iPSCs are used to target and kill cancer cells | Promising immunotherapy approach with enhanced tumor-specific killing abilities | [596] |
iPSC-Derived T Cells | Leukemia, Lymphomas | T cells derived from iPSCs are genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to specifically recognize and eliminate cancer cells | Offers a personalized and targeted therapy for hematological malignancies | [551] |
iPSC-Derived Dendritic Cells | Melanoma, Lung Cancer | Dendritic cells derived from iPSCs are used to stimulate the immune system and activate T cells against cancer cells | Shows potential as an adjuvant therapy to boost the immune response against solid tumors | [590] |
iPSC-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Various Cancers | Mesenchymal stem cells derived from iPSCs are engineered to deliver anti-cancer agents or suppress tumor growth through paracrine signaling | Provides a versatile platform for targeted drug delivery and modulating the tumor microenvironment | [597] |
iPSC-Based Gene Therapy | Various Cancers | iPSCs are genetically modified to correct cancer-related genetic mutations and then differentiated into specific cell types for transplantation | Offers a potential curative approach by addressing the underlying genetic defects in cancer cells | [555] |
iPSC-Derived CAR-T Cells | Solid Tumors | T cells derived from iPSCs are engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting specific cancer antigens for enhanced tumor recognition and elimination | Shows potential for treating solid tumors that are challenging to target with conventional CAR-T cell therapies | |
iPSC-Derived Natural Killer (NK) Cell Engagers | Hematological Malignancies | iPSC-derived NK cells are modified to express bispecific or trispecific antibodies that bind both NK cells and cancer cells, enhancing the killing of cancer cells | Offers a novel approach to improve NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and potentially overcome tumor immune evasion mechanisms | [599] |
iPSC-Derived Oncolytic Viruses | Various Cancers | iPSCs are genetically modified to produce oncolytic viruses that selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells | Represents a promising strategy for targeted cancer cell destruction with potential for systemic administration | |
iPSC-Derived Tumor Organoids | Personalized Medicine | iPSCs are differentiated into 3D organoids that mimic the patient's tumor, allowing for drug screening, personalized treatment selection, and studying tumor biology | Enables precision medicine by providing a patient-specific model for drug testing and studying tumor characteristics | |
iPSC-Based Cancer Vaccines | Preventive Therapy | iPSCs are engineered to express tumor-specific antigens, and the resulting antigen-presenting cells stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells | Offers a potential strategy for cancer prevention and immune priming against future cancer development | |
iPSC-Derived Tumor-Targeting Nanoparticles | Various Cancers | iPSCs are utilized to generate tumor-targeting nanoparticles loaded with therapeutic agents, allowing for precise drug delivery to cancer cells | Offers a targeted approach for delivering chemotherapy drugs and reducing systemic toxicity | [218] |
iPSC-Derived Tumor-Specific Viral Vectors | Various Cancers | iPSCs are engineered to produce viral vectors carrying tumor-specific antigens or therapeutic genes, which can selectively infect and destroy cancer cells | Shows potential for precise and efficient cancer cell targeting while minimizing off-target effects | [536] |
iPSC-Based Immunotherapies | Various Cancers | iPSCs are differentiated into various immune cell types, such as macrophages or dendritic cells, to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses or modulate the tumor microenvironment | Offers a versatile platform for developing different immunotherapeutic approaches tailored to specific cancer types and patient needs | |
iPSC-Derived Microenvironment Models | Drug Development | iPSCs are differentiated into multiple cell types to recreate tumor microenvironments in vitro, allowing for studying cancer biology, drug response, and developing personalized therapies | Facilitates the development of more effective and targeted cancer treatments through improved understanding of tumor biology and drug testing | [603] |
iPSC-Derived Exosomes | Various Cancers | iPSCs are used to generate exosomes loaded with therapeutic molecules such as RNA, proteins, or small molecules, which can be delivered to cancer cells to modulate their behavior or sensitize them to treatments | Provides a novel approach for targeted delivery of therapeutic cargo and potential modulation of cancer cell behavior | [604] |
iPSC-Derived Tumor-Associated Macrophages | Solid Tumors | iPSCs are differentiated into macrophages with tumor-specific characteristics, enabling the study of tumor-immune interactions and potential modulation of the tumor microenvironment | Offers insights into tumor-immune dynamics and potential therapeutic interventions targeting tumor-associated macrophages | [605] |
Tumor-Specific Antigen iPSC-Derived Libraries | Immunotherapy | iPSCs are used to generate libraries of tumor-specific antigens, which can be utilized for personalized cancer immunotherapies to trigger immune responses against specific cancer cells | Enables the development of customized immunotherapies targeting individual patients' unique tumor antigens | |
iPSC-Derived Gene Editing for Tumor Suppression | Various Cancers | iPSCs are genetically modified to correct cancer-associated gene mutations or introduce tumor suppressor genes, which can be used for cell replacement therapies or as a platform for studying cancer genetics | Provides a potential strategy for directly targeting cancer-causing genetic mutations and exploring the role of specific genes in cancer development | |
iPSC-Based Drug Screening Platforms | Drug Development | iPSCs are differentiated into specific cancer cell types and utilized as high-throughput platforms for testing the efficacy and toxicity of potential anti-cancer drugs, aiding in drug discovery and development | Enhances the drug development process by enabling rapid and cost-effective screening of potential therapeutic compounds | |
iPSC-Derived Oncolytic Vaccines | Various Cancers | iPSCs are engineered to express tumor-specific antigens and viral components, leading to the production of oncolytic vaccines that stimulate anti-cancer immune responses | Provides a dual mechanism of viral-mediated tumor cell destruction and immune system activation | [537] |
iPSC-Derived Antibody Therapies | Solid Tumors, Leukemia | iPSCs are used to generate antibodies targeting specific cancer cell surface markers, which can be utilized for antibody-based immunotherapies or as diagnostic tools | Offers a potential targeted therapy option with reduced off-target effects and improved specificity | |
iPSC-Based Tumor Invasion Models | Cancer Research | iPSCs are differentiated into organoids or 3D models that mimic the invasive behavior of cancer cells, enabling the study of tumor invasion mechanisms and testing of anti-metastatic therapies | Offers a valuable tool for investigating the complex process of tumor invasion and developing interventions to prevent metastasis | |
iPSC-Derived Cancer Stem Cell Targeting | Solid Tumors | iPSCs are engineered to express molecules or antibodies that specifically target and eliminate cancer stem cells, which are implicated in tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance | Offers a potential strategy for eradicating cancer-initiating cells and preventing tumor recurrence | [542] |
iPSC-Derived Immune Checkpoint Modulators | Various Cancers | iPSCs are differentiated into immune cells or engineered to express molecules that can modulate immune checkpoint pathways, enhancing anti-tumor immune responses | Provides a means to overcome immune suppression and improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy | |
iPSC-Based Drug Sensitivity Testing | Precision Medicine | iPSCs derived from patient samples are differentiated into cancer cells and used to test the response to various drugs, guiding personalized treatment selection based on individual drug sensitivity profiles | Facilitates personalized medicine by predicting patient-specific drug responses and optimizing treatment strategies | |
iPSC-Based Tumor Immunogenicity Studies | Cancer Immunology | iPSCs are utilized to generate tumor cells with specific genetic alterations or antigen profiles, allowing for the investigation of tumor immunogenicity and the development of personalized immunotherapeutic strategies | Enables a better understanding of the immune response against cancer cells and the design of tailored immunotherapies | [610] |