HGF and cancer: Using an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer, wherein tumours were produced by implantation of a mixture of cancer cells and pancreatic stellate cells, we previously demonstrated that inhibition of both the ligand HGF and its receptor c-MET in combination with gemcitabine (cytotoxic agent) results in the virtual elimination of metastasis in both early and advanced-stage unresected pancreatic cancer [8,9,10].