CXCL12 and hepatocellular carcinoma: SDF-1, one of the cytokines secreted by CAFs, may inhibit the apoptosis of HCC cells via the SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/AKT axis (48) and induce EMT through the SDF-1/CXCR4/OIP5-AS1/miR-153-3p/SNAI1 axis (20).