SOX2 and neoplasm: CAFs derived from bone marrow MSCs remodel the tumor microenvironment by secreting IL-6, Wnt5a, and BMP4, which facilitate gastric cancer progression.277 The inhibition of EMT is reduced in gastric cancer due to the downregulation of the miRNA-214/FGF9 axis by CAFs, further promoting tumor progression.278 Integrin signaling has also been implicated in regulating gastric cancer cell survival.279 ECM1 in gastric cancer is reported to induce aberrant glucose metabolism in gastric CSCs via the integrin β4/FAK/SOX2/HIF-1α pathway, thereby driving metastasis.280