In summary, our work suggests a mechanism whereby CXCL11 acts as a key mediator integrating CAFs and CAF-cohabitating cancer cells, and functions as an extracellular remodeler promoting HCC migration and metastasis through the activation of circUBAP2/miR-4756/IFIT1/3 in tumor cells (Fig. 8H). The gene discussed is IFIT1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.