HGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: HCC has a complex molecular pathogenesis involving several signaling cascades such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/MET), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) among others [37].