VEGFA and hepatocellular carcinoma: On one hand, TAE treatment shortened the survival of these HCC patients, consistent with the fact that TAE induced ischemic conditions under which Cbx4 enhanced transcriptional activity of HIF-1, promoting the progression of HCC.34, 39, 40 On the other hand, TACE treatment could significantly improve the survival of HCC patients with high Cbx4/VEGF expression.