HOXB7 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Using CHIP and luciferase reporter genes assays, we found that HOXB7 can stimulate bFGF secretion through binding the bFGF promoter directly, then activate MAPK/ERK signaling, and this is the first demonstration for the interaction of HOXB7 and bFGF in HCC (Figure 4E, 4F).