SMO and hepatocellular carcinoma: Shh signaling pathway induces MMP-2 and MMP-9 production to promote invasiveness through FAK/AKT signaling in HCC.269 HCC’s invasive behavior was attenuated by treatment with a Smo inhibitor which partially suppressed the expression of MMPs and Gli1/2.270 In addition, target genes of HH signaling pathway such as EMT transcription factors were found overexpressed in poorly differentiated hepatoma cells in HCC.