EMT interacts with the microenvironment: EMT-transformed cells activate tumor-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) by secreting factors such as TGF-β and IL-6, which in turn secrete HGF and FGF, maintaining the EMT phenotype through c-Met/FGFR signals, forming a positive feedback loop of drug resistance (Derynck et al., 2021). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is neoplasm.