In gain of function studies, overexpression of CPE-ΔN in Panc-1 cells increased CXCR2, a pro metastatic gene.14 Likewise, in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, (HCC97L cells), transfection of 40 kD CPE-ΔN resulted in >3-fold increase in expression of several tumor metastasis-related genes, CCXCR2, CXCR4, and CCL12.10 Here, CXCR4 is linked to neoplasm.