Moreover, increased expression of Smo and Gli1 was directly correlated to a large tumor size of HCC.266,267 Ptch1 and Gli1 can be potential biomarkers for the recurrence of HCC and cumulative survival of HCC patients.268 MMPs promote tumor metastasis by influencing extracellular matrix remodeling. The gene discussed is GLI1; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.