In these cases, MMP-7 expression was detected in 48.5% (32/66) of the HCC samples with negative Fibulin-5 expression, whereas only 15.0% (3/20) of the HCC specimens with positive Fibulin-5 expression showed a positive MMP-7 signal (P < 0.05, Figure 4C and 4D). Here, MMP7 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.