Abstract
My thesis project is devoted to the potential clinical application of dental stem cells used as anticancer drug carriers to target cancers, especially oral cancers. This aims at reducing the side effects and improving the effectiveness of the systemic chemotherapy treatment. Oncology research and innovative treatments such as innovative stem cell-based therapy are applied in the field to improve general health and quality of life of cancer patients. Thus, coupling the multipotential interacting capacities, tumor-tropism and migration abilities, and tolerance of adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) with nanomedical properties of the anticancer drugs provides an attractive platform for therapeutic use. MSCs were found to acquire strong anti-tumor activity after priming with anti-cancer drugs. Previously demonstrated in vivo data proved the potential use of MSCs for local delivery of the commonest anti-neoplastic drug, paclitaxel (PTX). In this project, our team uses human mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp (DPSC) to assess for the first time their anti-cancer delivery potential. This model will focus on (1) the interaction between dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) and anticancer drugs, notably paclitaxel, (2) the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic treatment approach and compatibility for auto/heterologous applications, and (3) the fate of DPSCs after treatment. Confocal Raman microscopy is the method that enables to trace drugs inside living cells without labeling. Drug uptake, apoptosis, and tracing different enzymes and proteins in the cell could be performed by software-aided Raman analysis. This enables to understand the role that stem cells play in the development and progression of cancer. Subsequently, we will perform 3D culture models and develop animal models for in vivo studies. Application of dental pulp stem cells for targeted drug delivery straight to cancer tissue is an alternative option to reduce the chemotherapy-associated morbidity and to increase the efficacy of systemic cancer treatments.