TBX1 and neoplasm: Recent studies have also demonstrated that CAFs play a key role in tumor metabolic reprogramming, angiogenesis, and chemotherapy resistance (3, 4).CAFs regulate the biological behavior of tumor cells directly or indirectly by secreting signaling molecules such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (5, 6).