Indeed, CAFs from different cancer tissues manifest a pro-inflammatory gene signature including cyclooxygenase 2, osteopontin, chemokine ligand 1, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), stromal-derived factor (SDF-1α) and tumour necrosis factor alpha 52–54. Here, CXCL12 is linked to cancer.