HGF and neoplasm: Genetic ablation of osteocytes, induced by diphtheria toxin administration, increased the homing of myeloma cells to particular areas of the bone and increased total tumor burden.63 Mechanistic studies showed that the expression of IL‐6, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1, cytokines known to be involved in myeloma migration and homing to the bone marrow, as well as immune‐suppressive cell populations (myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, regulatory T and B cells), were elevated in the bone marrow of mice with apoptotic osteocytes.