Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in all countries. Unfortunately, current conventional cancer therapies (such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) are symptomatic and passive in nature. The absence of sufficient specificity is the major obstacle for effective cancer therapy. Since the discovery of the tumor-oriented homing capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the application of specific anticancer gene-engineered MSCs has held great potential for cancer therapies. The specific tumor-oriented migration of MSCs have been demonstrated, revealing the potential for MSCs to be used as ideal vectors for delivering anticancer agents. Compared to other vehicles, MSCs have some advantages: 1) tumortropic properties, 2) Immunomodulatory effects, and 3) more effective delivery. So, the strategy is based on tumor-directed migration of MSCs and incorporation and in situ expression of tumor-specific anticancer genes such as IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL 12 and 24. Nonetheless, challenges faced when using MSCs for this application and strategies to overcome them should be considered.

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