To investigate the potential role of miR-378a-3p in its clinical implications, we analysed the expression of miR-378a-3p and its target, gli3, in non-tumour and tumour regions of liver tissues obtained from 18 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and advanced fibrosis (stage F3 or F4). The gene discussed is GLI3; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.