fig1

Figure 1. CSC-mediated immune escape and self-renewal. The tumor microenvironment is home to a lot of immune cells, which contribute to cancer cell survival and proliferation. The CSCs can self-renew themselves due to their stem-like properties and are also aided by different cytokines in the TME. Metabolic products from the CSCs, such as retinoic acid and lactate, are also involved in their self-renewal. Other immune cells in the TME, such as MDSCs, immature neutrophils, and TAMs, are also involved in tumor proliferation by dampening the cytotoxic effects of killer T cells and promoting regulatory T cells. CSCs: Cancer stem cells; TME: tumor microenvironment; TAMs: tumor-associated macrophages; CTL: cytotoxic T lymphocyte; Mac: macrophage; Mono: monocyte; Neu: neutrophil; DC: dendritic cells; Treg: regulatory T cell.