The integrated density of VEGF staining was higher in the SMMC7721-pcDNA3.1-KLF8 group than in the SMMC7721-pcDNA3.1 group (129.2 ± 1.6 vs 46.3 ± 7.2, P < 0.01, n = 6), and the tumor vessel density was significantly increased in the SMMC7721-pcDNA3.1-KLF8 group (135.2 ± 14.1 vs 57.3 ± 4.7, P < 0.01, n = 6) (Fig. 8c,d). This evidence concerns the gene KLF8 and neoplasm.