Lyu FJ. Letter to the Editor: Cell source dictates the effect - a critical consideration for exosome-based cancer therapies. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(7): 116082 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.116082]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Feng-Juan Lyu, PhD, Associate Professor, South China University of Technology-the University of Western Australia Joint Center for Regenerative Medicine Research, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China. 44238553@qq.com
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Cell Biology
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letter
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Lyu FJ. Letter to the Editor: Cell source dictates the effect - a critical consideration for exosome-based cancer therapies. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(7): 116082 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.116082]
World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2026; 18(7): 116082 Published online Jul 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.116082
Letter to the Editor: Cell source dictates the effect - a critical consideration for exosome-based cancer therapies
Feng-Juan Lyu
Feng-Juan Lyu, South China University of Technology-the University of Western Australia Joint Center for Regenerative Medicine Research, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Lyu FJ drafted, revised, and approved the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: During the preparation of this work, the author used Deepseek to improve grammar and language.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82272552.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Feng-Juan Lyu, PhD, Associate Professor, South China University of Technology-the University of Western Australia Joint Center for Regenerative Medicine Research, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu District, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong Province, China. 44238553@qq.com
Received: November 2, 2025 Revised: November 20, 2025 Accepted: January 26, 2026 Published online: July 26, 2026 Processing time: 264 Days and 7.7 Hours
Abstract
Exosomes are increasingly recognized as versatile tools in cancer therapy. Here, we read with great interest the study by Ababneh et al published in the recent issue of World Journal of Stem Cells, which presents a nuanced insight into the complex role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes in cancer. This study crucially demonstrates that the anti-cancer effects of MSCs-exosomes are not universal but are profoundly source-dependent. The finding that exosomes from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs consistently and potently induce a senescence-like state in aggressive cancer cells, while those from bone marrow MSCs show variable and weaker effects, has several key implications. It underscores that the functional “fingerprint” of an exosome is dependent on its parent cell, and highlights the paramount importance of exosome source selection, moving beyond generic “MSCs-derived exosomes” to specify and compare origins. On this basis, we call for the need for rigorous standardization and functional profiling of exosome preparations to ensure reproducibility and clinical relevance.
Core Tip: Building on the study by Ababneh et al, we emphasize that the anti-cancer effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes are profoundly source-dependent. The research demonstrates that exosomes from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs potently induce senescence in aggressive cancer cells, whereas those from bone marrow MSCs show weaker effects. This highlights the critical need to move beyond generic “MSCs-exosome” descriptions. We advocate for rigorous standardization and functional profiling of exosome sources to ensure reproducibility and clinical relevance in future therapies.
