Tumor growth was reduced and time to experimental endpoint (maximum tumor volume) was increased upon reduced deposition of stromal HSPG2 and in response to gemcitabine/Abraxane (Fig. 9b, c; compare gemcitabine/Abraxane in mt-CCs + mt-e-CAFs WT (green line) vs gemcitabine/Abraxane in mt-CCs + mt-e-CAFs KO (red line)). This evidence concerns the gene HSPG2 and neoplasm.