Mechanistic studies have revealed that SphK1 catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), activating endothelial differentiation gene (EDG1/S1PR1) receptors and directly promoting the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This evidence concerns the gene SPHK1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.