Since previous studies had found a correlation of CXCR4 expression on metastatic RCC cells, but had not shown a direct link of CXCL12 and metastasis of CXCR4-expressing RCC cells, we then examined whether VHL knockdown, and subsequently CXCR4 expression, could change the metastatic potential of these human RCC cell lines in SCID mice. Here, CXCL12 is linked to renal cell adenocarcinoma.