Interestingly, the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 10 (MMP10) in HCC cells through the ERK1/2 pathway, which contributes to angiogenesis, growth and dissemination of HCC, and in turn, HCC cells stably expressing MMP10 have increased CXCR4 expression and migration capacity. The gene discussed is MMP10; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.