HGF and hepatocellular carcinoma: STMN1 promotes PDGF-BB expression, inducing HSC to acquire CAF characteristics and further elevate HGF level.208 On the contrary, HCC cells release B-cell activating factor (BAFF) to bind BAFF receptors on CAFs, activate the NF-κB pathway, and increase the expression of IL-6 and IL-8, causing sorafenib resistance.209 Apart from HGF, CAFs can also secrete IGF-1, which binds to IGF-1R on cancer cells, thereby promoting Annexin A2 (ANXA2) expression.210 The exact mechanism underlying ANXA2 effects was not uncovered.