TY - JOUR AB - There has been increased interest in using stem cells for regenerative medicine and cancer therapy in the past decade. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are among the most studied stem cells due to their unique characteristics, such as self‑renewal and developmental potency to differentiate into numerous cell types. MSC use has fewer ethical challenges compared with other types of stem cells. Although a number of studies have reported the beneficial effects of MSC‑based therapies in treating various diseases, their contribution to cancer therapy remains controversial. The behaviour of MSCs is determined by the interaction between intrinsic transcriptional genes and extrinsic environmental factors. Numerous studies continue to emerge, as there is no denying the potential of MSCs to treat a wide variety of human afflictions. Therefore, the present review article provided an overview of MSCs and their differences compared with embryonic stem cells, and described the molecular mechanisms involved in maintaining their stemness. In addition, the article examined the therapeutic application of stem cells in the field of cancer. The present article also discussed the current divergent roles of MSCs in cancer therapy and the future potential in this field. AD - Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia AU - Lim,Shern,Kwok AU - Khoo,Boon,Yin DA - 2021/11/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2021.13046 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Lett KW - mesenchymal stem cells cell‑based therapies therapeutic stem cells cancer therapy PY - 2021 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 785 ST - An overview of mesenchymal stem cells and their potential therapeutic benefits in cancer therapy (Review) T2 - Oncology Letters TI - An overview of mesenchymal stem cells and their potential therapeutic benefits in cancer therapy (Review) UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13046 VL - 22 ER -