HGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: Regulation of HCC angiogenesis involves the presence of major factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-α, TGF-β, FGFs, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [26], where the complex interactions between these growth factors and cytokines result in the ultimate outcome of tumor vessel growth [27].