The level of CXCR4 expression in HCC tissues correlates with tumor size, metastasis, and survival [242], and CXCL12/CXCR4 plays an important role in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, with TGFβ-induced EMT correlating with high CXCR4 expression in tumor tissues, particularly corresponding to tumor borders and perivascular areas [243]. Here, CXCL12 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.