HGF and neoplasm: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment that secrete cytokines, such as VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), to promote angiogenesis [13], and IFN-γ downregulates VEGF secretion from CAFs, blocks angiogenesis, and inhibits tumor growth [14].