Chen’s research indicates that the activated SHH pathway can trigger the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), thereby enhancing the invasion and migration of HCC cells [49]. This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and hepatocellular carcinoma.