The results of this study showed significantly lower mRNA expression of CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL7, CXCL12 and CXCL14, and significantly higher mRNA expression levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL16 and CXCL17 in HCC tissues. Here, CXCL1 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.