Table 1 Characterization of surface markers of CSC in the tumor immune microenvironment

EpCMA

Liver CSCs

NK cell;

The high expression of EpCAM + cells resulting in

resistance to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

[26]

CD44

SCCHN CSCs

Treg cells;

MDSC;

CD44 + cells inhibit T-cell proliferation,

Treg cells and MDSC

[27]

CD44

Lung CSCs

B cell;

CD4 + T cell;

Neutrophil;

DC;

CD44 was associated with PD-L1 and

infiltration of immune cells, and was a

negative prognostic factor for predicting

worsed OS in lung adenocarcinoma

[28]

CD44 + /CD133 + 

Pancreatic CSCs

CD8 + T Cell;

CD44 + /CD133 + CSCs are associated with

low CD8 + T cell infiltration and high PD-L1

expression Level

[29]

CD44 + CD90 + 

SCLC CSCs

CD8 + T Cell;

The interaction between CD44 + CD90 + 

CSC-like cells and T cells led to the

upregulation of checkpoint molecules

PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, and LAG3

[30]

CD90

Pancreatic CSCs

Monocyte;

Macrophage;

The CD90 highly expressed population in

PDAC cells harbors high stemness features

and tumorigenicity. Notably, CD90 acts as

an anchor for monocyte/macrophage adhesion,

providing immunosuppressive features

[31]

CXCR4

OSCC CSCs

CAF;

TAM;

Monocytes;

CAF effectively attracts monocytes

via the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway and

induces their differentiation to M2

macrophages

[32]

CD166

Lung CSCs

DC vaccine

Dendritic cell vaccination significantly decreased

percentage of CD166 + CSC.This anticancer stemness

effect was attributed to the immune-stimulatory effect

as indicated by increased percentage of CD83 + and CD8 + 

cells, upregulation of Il-12, and downregulation of TGF-β,

CTLA-4, PD-L1 and FOXP3 gene expression compared to

lung cancer control group

[33]

SOX2

Colorectal CSCs

CD8 + T cell;

Treg cells;

The prognostic value of the SOX2 cancer

stem-like cell marker in colon cancer is modified

by expression of immune-cell related factors

FoxP3 and PD-L1

[34]

Nanog

Colorectal CSCs

CD8 + T cell;

Inhibition of Nanog in a murine model

of colon cancer rendered tumor cells

susceptible to immune-mediated clearance

and led to successful, long-term control of

the disease

[35]