TGFB1 and neoplasm: Several recent studies have shown that CAFs confer resistance to anticancer drug therapy on tumor cells by the secretion of soluble factors, including IL-6, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), TGF-β, IL-11, and others.47, 48, 49, 50 Among these, IL-6 plays a critical role in the communication between stromal cells and cancer cells in TME.