Cytokines in the TME, especially those from cancer cells, are the main factors driving the transformation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) to CAFs; IL-17 secreted by gastric cancer cells can induce the transformation of NFs to CAFs and become “CAF-like” cells, which remodel the TME, and “CAF-like” cells can secrete IL-8, which promotes the proliferation of gastric cancer and the proliferation of the TME (32). The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is cancer.