The chemokine, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), are closely associated with promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemotaxis and metastasis. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL12 and hepatocellular carcinoma.