CXCL12 and neoplasm: Furthermore, activated CAFs release SDF-1/CXCL12, OPN, periostin, galectin, THBS2, MFGE8, and diverse cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-32, which promote the EMT, tumor invasion, and tumor metastasis (Jang & Beningo, 2019; Qin et al., 2018; Wen et al., 2019).