Human Umbilical Cord Matrix - Derived Stem Cells Show Tropism Towards the Human Glioma Microenvironment

Objective: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive type of brain tumor in humans. The median survival of patients is a year after diagnosis. It is a great challenge to identify new therapeutic strategies that could reach to the tumor mass. A novel approach to this strategy is the use of stem cells. Human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal cells (hUCM) are an extraordinary source of stem cells for clinical application. In the present study, the aim was evaluating the tropism of hUCM towards the tumor mass and the effects of hUCM inoculation on tumor behavior in an animal model of brain cancer. Materials and Methods: hUCMs were isolated from Umbilical cord of a normal volunteer. hUCMs were labeled with fluorescent dye and injected into the left ventricle of human glioma-bearing rats. The magnetic resonance imaging, H&E and, Immunohistochemical staining were used to assess characteristics of groups. Results: hUCMs were found in the tumor bed, but not in the normal parenchyma. H&E and IHC staining data were shown the positive role of hUMCs in inhibition of progression of glioma. In addition; the intracardiac injection was a suitable approach for transplantation of stem cells in brain cancer in comparison with intravascular injection. Conclusion: Human Umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal cells have the ability of migration towards and homing in GBM tumor. This is important because the hUMCs may be a suitable cellular vehicle for delivery of therapeutic agents to sites of tumor types in human.