The transcription factor Slug is the CD147 upstream mediator in epithelial-mesenchymal transition during hepatocellular carcinoma progression, the signaling cascade of which is TGF-β/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail/Slug/CD147 (Wu et al., 2011). This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.