Molecular Cancer · 14 authors, 9 centres
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This review highlights the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in cancer research, including disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized immunotherapies. iPSCs can be derived from patient cells to recapitulate tumorigenesis and test therapies, but challenges such as tumorigenicity and ethical concerns remain. The clinical significance lies in advancing precision oncology and regenerative medicine.
**Background:** Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated by reprogramming adult somatic cells (e.g., skin or blood cells) into a pluripotent state using transcription factors such as Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (Yamanaka factors). This technology offers a powerful platform for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and cancer research. The review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of iPSCs in tumorigenesis and therapy, discussing their applications, challenges, and ethical implications.
**Methods:** This is a narrative review that synthesizes findings from multiple studies, including those on iPSC derivation methods (e.g., viral and non-integrating approaches, chemically induced reprogramming), characterization of iPSCs (pluripotency, self-renewal, genetic stability), and their use in cancer research. The review also compares iPSCs with other stem cell types (e.g., embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells) and discusses case studies in cancer modeling, drug screening, and immunotherapy development.
**Key Results:** The review reports that iPSCs can be differentiated into various cancer cell types, enabling patient-specific disease modeling. For example, iPSCs derived from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) showed increased polyp formation and aberrant Wnt signaling in intestinal organoids. In drug screening, iPSC-derived cancer cells have been used to test compounds such as olaparib for breast cancer, erlotinib for lung cancer, and imatinib for leukemia. The review also highlights the development of iPSC-derived immune cells (e.g., CAR-T cells, NK cells) for personalized immunotherapies. Challenges include the tumorigenic potential of iPSCs (teratoma formation), genomic instability, and immune rejection risks. The review notes that chemically induced reprogramming (CiPSCs) using small molecules offers a safer alternative to viral methods.
**Clinical Implications:** iPSCs hold promise for precision medicine by enabling personalized cancer models and targeted therapies. They can be used for drug screening, toxicity testing, and developing immunotherapies. However, clinical translation requires overcoming safety concerns, improving differentiation efficiency, and addressing ethical and regulatory issues. Continued investment in iPSC research is essential to unlock their full potential in oncology.