Cancer stem cells influence macrophage aging by altering their function and behavior within the tumor microenvironment. These cancer cells release various factors and signaling molecules that interact with macrophages, inducing their phenotype and function changes. This interaction promotes the transformation of macrophages into an aging phenotype, impairing their immune response and altering their behavior toward tumor-promoting activities. Consequently, this crosstalk between cancer stem cells and macrophages within the tumor contributes to the aging process of the macrophages, impacting their functionality within the cancer microenvironment.
