CXCL12 and cancer: During the process of cancer invasion and metastasis, the activity of ECM‐degrading enzymes increases, which promotes the release of various matrix‐associated growth factors such as EGF, FGF, HGF, PDGF, and cytokines such as IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and SDF‐1, thereby creating local gradients of released mediators that further promote cancer cell survival, proliferation, and immune evasion [40, 42].