Role of cancer stem cell-associated inflammation in creating pro-inflammatory tumorigenic microenvironments

Abstract

We identify novel mechanisms whereby chemoresistance enables cancer stem cells to create pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironments. Chemoresistant cancer stem cells promote M2 macrophage differentiation through interferon-regulatory factor-5 (IR F5)-and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-dependent mechanisms and produce various other cell-signaling factors that together fuel inflammation-driven carcinogenesis. These findings clarify a molecular pathway linking cancer "stemness" and pro-tumor inflammation in an immunosuppressive niche. © 2014 Landes Bioscience.