CXCR4 and neoplasm: The study revealed that SDF-1 overexpression resulted in a dramatic expansion of α-smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts and CXCR4-expressing gastric epithelial cells in the progenitor zone, both of which preceded the development of significant gastritis or dysplasia This finding is particularly relevant as cancer-associated fibroblasts and CXCR4+ cells contribute to the desmoplastic stroma characteristic of human gastric cancer and promote tumor progression through paracrine signaling (Qin et al., 2021; Li P. et al., 2024; Zhang and Peng, 2018).