Inflammation-Associated Stem Cells in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Their Utility as Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets.

Stem cells are critical for the development and homeostasis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Inflammatory molecules are known to regulate the activity of stem cells. A comprehensive review specifically describing the role of inflammatory molecules in the regulation of stem cells within the GI tract and in GI cancers (GICs) is not available.