Knockdown of FGFR4 and CXCL1 decreased HOXB5-mediated HCC metastasis, while ectopic overexpression of FGFR4 and CXCL1 rescued the impaired HCC metastasis induced by HOXB5 knockdown. The gene discussed is FGFR4; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.