We found that Slug expression was correlated with ANKHD1 expression in SMYD3 positive HCC patients, but not in SMYD3 negative HCC patients, suggesting both SMYD3 and ANKHD1 are necessary for Slug expression in HCC (Additional file 3: Figure S7; Additional file 1: Table S6). This evidence concerns the gene SMYD3 and hepatocellular carcinoma.