MMP2 and hepatocellular carcinoma: In the present study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of MMP2 and HIF-1α in HCC tissues; to analyze the association between the expression levels of MMP2 and HIF-1α and the clinical pathological characteristics of HCC; and to analyze their effect on the survival period of patients with HCC.