The examination of levels of epidermal growth factor, cyclin E, p27, E-cadherin, CD44v6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (19) may be of important significance for determining the prognosis and individualized treatment of patients with gastric cancer. This evidence concerns the gene EGF and gastric cancer.