IL6 and cancer: For instance, TAMs can activate STAT3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the secretion of IL‐6, inducing TAMs to release additional cytokines and form a positive loop, thereby maintaining the self‐renewal of hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells.[16] TAMs have been reported to activate EphA4 through the secretion of ephrin, leading to the upregulation of cytokines IL‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8, consequently promoting breast cancer progression.[17, 18] Cancer cells can also initiate crosstalk.