Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells with self-renewing and tumor-initiating capabilities, playing a pivotal role in cancer progression, recurrence, and therapy resistance. The tumor microenvironment (TME), a dynamic and complex ecosystem surrounding the tumor, significantly influences the behavior of CSCs. This review explores the multifaceted interactions between CSCs and the TME, focusing on how factors such as hypoxia, immune cells, extracellular matrix, and metabolic reprogramming contribute to CSC maintenance, plasticity, and therapeutic resistance. Understanding these interactions may unveil new therapeutic strategies to effectively target CSCs and improve cancer treatment outcomes.