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. The gene discussed is MMP1; the disease is gastric cancer.