HGF and neoplasm: Functionally, miR-199a-3p acted as a tumor suppressor by directly targeting multiple oncogenic drivers-including HIF-1α, p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), VEGF-A, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), thereby potently inhibiting HCC proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis (36–38).