With regard to the Notch1 pathway, the expression of activated Notch1 (NICD) and its typical downstream activation markers (p21, Myc and Hey2) was upregulated in HCC cells with SPC25 overexpression and downregulated in HCC cells with SPC25 knockdown (Fig. 5C). The gene discussed is SPC25; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.