Specifically, given that tumor-infiltrating MSCs can directly support CSCs through multiple paracrine signaling pathways, including IL-6, IL-7, CXCL-1, PGE-2, Jagged-1, and CXCL-10 (44, 46, 47, 66), blockade of the molecular crosstalk between MSCs and CSCs may be potentially useful in inhibiting cancer stemness in desmoplastic cancers. The gene discussed is CXCL1; the disease is cancer.