Controversies in therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome

Though mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as an important pillar of regenerative medicine, their regenerative potential has been shown to be limited in several pathological conditions. The adverse properties of MSC-based cell therapy have drawn attention to the therapeutic use of MSC-derived secretome. However, MSC-originated exosomes and microvesicles can also possess a significant impact on disease development, including cancer. By interchanging secretome, MSCs can interact with tumor cells and promote mutual exchange/induction of cellular markers. In addition, enzymes secreted into and activated within exosomes can result in the acquisition of new tumor cell properties. Therefore, therapeutic applications of MSC-derived secretome require much caution.