HGF and neoplasm: In parallel, CAFs produce Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)12, which enhance tumor cell motility and invasiveness, while also secreting Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)s that degrade the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, thereby facilitating vascular intravasation, supported by in vitro and preclinical in vivo studies [51].