This inhibition blocks the binding of Twist1 to the VE-cadherin promoter, thereby repressing the transcriptional activation of VM-associated genes (including VE-cadherin, VEGFR1/2, MMP2, MMP9, Laminin 5, and vimentin), while simultaneously promoting the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, ultimately contributing to the inhibition of VM formation in HCC (Xiao et al., 2018). This evidence concerns the gene MMP9 and hepatocellular carcinoma.