IL6 and colorectal carcinoma: CAFs contribute to the progression of CRC by secreting oncogenic cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and epidermal growth factor (EGF), all of which are documented to promote the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induce stemness [4,5,6,7].