To explore the role of IL-8 and integrin αvβ3 in HCC metastasis, we detected the expression of IL-8, integrin αv and integrin β3 in several HCC cell lines with different metastatic potential, and found that both protein expression and mRNA levels of IL-8, integrin αv, and integrin β3 were significantly increased in highly metastatic HCC cell lines (HCCLM3 and MHCC97H) compared with low metastatic cell lines (Huh-7 and HepG2). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and hepatocellular carcinoma.