In conclusion, we identified the CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling axis to be a significant component in IFF-induced invasion in HCC; however, this signaling was not the only mechanism involved in IFF-induced invasion of HCC cells, as shown by the presence of some IFF-induced invasion even with inhibition of CXCR4 or CXCL12 (Figs 2A and 3B). Here, CXCL12 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.