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. Here, CXCR4 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.