Here we present an atypical system of EMT in metastasis that would be appealing to HCC researchers and to those in cancer biology in general by providing avenues to addressing questions on (i) unknown mechanisms of EMT, (ii) biphasic signaling by TGFβ in HCC and (iii) switching between EMT and MET in vivo. This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.