CSCs activate the expression of the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL8 through the ERK pathway, facilitating the recruitment of MDSCs within the tumor, whereas MDSCs help maintain the stem cell characteristics of cancer cells, promote angiogenesis, and assist in CSC metastasis and colonization. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is neoplasm.