In a phase 1b trial assessing neoadjuvant combined immunotherapy against HCC, the targeted drug cabozantinib (an inhibitor of VEGFR2, AXL Receptor Tyrosine Kinase [AXL], and hepatocyte growth factor receptor [c-MET]) was separately shown to contribute to T-cell activation in the TME through the suppression of chemokines48. This evidence concerns the gene MET and hepatocellular carcinoma.