Homeobox B9 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinomas and promotes tumor cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.

Highlights: [•] HOXB9 is overexpressed in human HCC samples. [•] HOXB9 over expression had shorter survival time than down expression. [•] HOXB9 stimulated the proliferation of HCC cells. [•] Activation of TGF-β1 contributes to HOXB9-induced proliferation in HCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]