CXCL12 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Nonetheless, after sorafenib administration in mouse model of HCC, the survival of HSCs increased through the upregulation of stromal-derived factor 1 alpha (SDF-1α) expression in both tumour and stromal cells and activation of the SDF-1α/C-X-C receptor type 4 (CXCR4) pathway [79].