The Effect of Stem Cells on the Treatment of Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma

Stem cells have become therapeutic agents of interest due to their ability to navigate and promote repair in damaged or diseased tissues. Their use has been expanded to modulation of immune response and delivery of targeted treatments such as therapeutic genes or anticancer agents. In the case of cancer, stem cells are being studied both for their antitumorigenic properties and their presence as cancer stem cells within select subtypes. Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS), a subtype regarded as rare among the general population but common among Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) patients, shares several of its biological markers and pathways with stem cells, particularly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC). As MSCs have begun to be studied for their anticancer properties and regenerative characteristics post-remission, their application to biologically similar STSs such as UPS remains largely unexplored. The current standard of care for UPS remains one of surgical intervention and toxic chemotherapy drugs, most commonly doxorubicin and ifosfamide. Because of this, stem cell therapies, including use of MSCs, are of interest as an alternative to conventional treatment. Investigation of MSCs as therapeutic targets within UPS is currently being studied, however research on MSCs as therapeutic agents and targeted delivery vectors for the soft tissue sarcoma subtype remain scarce.