contribute to the formation of tumor microenvironment favorable for tumor growthActivated HSCs in the tumor stroma continuously produce ECMproduction of soluble factors favoring tumor growth, such as hepatocyte growth factor and TGF-βproduction of proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and MMP9. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.