In human HCC tissues, HOXB5 expression was largely associated with CXCL1 expression and intratumor MDSCs infiltration (marked by CD11b staining), and patients with positive co-expression of HOXB5/CXCL1 or HOXB5/CD11b predicted the highest recurrence rate and the lowest overall survival time. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.