Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which have a close connection with tumor microenvironment, play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. The inflammatory microenvironment is an essential component of tumor microenvironment. In the recent years, many studies have demonstrated that the inflammatory microenvironment induces the initiation of tumors, and contributes to the process of the progression of tumors, as well as metastasis. In this review, we summarize the relationship between CSCs and inflammatory components, such as inflammatory cytokines (IFNs, TNF, IL-6, IL-17) and inflammatory cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages). To illuminate the key factors that exert important actions in the tumor process would be important to improve the clinical outcome of the treatment for different types of cancer.
Keywords: cancer stem cells; inflammatory factors; interferons; myeloid-derived suppressor cells; tumor microenvironment; tumor necrosis factor; tumor-associated macrophages.