IL6 and neoplasm: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)—the most abundant stromal component in the TME—drive tumor progression by remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM), secreting cytokines (e.g., interleukin [IL]-6 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β), and activating key pathways (e.g., Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog) to confer stem-like properties to tumor cells [3].