HGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: Upregulation of TAM-derived EREG may attribute to the activation of the JNK pathway by IL-1β in the TME.218 In erlotinib-resistant HNSCC, EREG/EGFR was found to upregulate the c-myc expression to stimulate cell proliferation.219 Furthermore, M2 TAMs can release HGF to bind to MET receptors in HCC tumor cells and induce sorafenib resistance.