CXCL12 and neoplasm: Tumor budding cells secrete various growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines that influence the stroma and create a tumor-promoting microenvironment, such as TGF-β, VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs).