IKKα inhibition re-sensitizes acquired adriamycin-resistant triple negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis.

IKKα has been shown to be responsible of multiple pro-tumorigenic functions and therapy resistance independent of canonical NF-κB, but its role in acquired chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer remains unclarified. In this study, we obtained pre-treatment biopsy and post-treatment mastectomy specimens from a retrospective cohort of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) (n = 43). Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of IKKα before and after NAC, and the relationship between IKKα and the pathologic response to NAC was examined. In addition, we developed a new ADR-resistant MDA-MB-231 cell line(MDA-MB-231/ADR) and analyzed these cells for changes in IKKα expression, the role and mechanisms of the increased IKKα in promoting drug resistance were determined in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that the expression of IKKα in residual TNBC tissues after chemotherapy was significantly higher than that before chemotherapy, and was positively correlated with lower pathological reaction. IKKα expression was significantly higher in ADR-resistant TNBC cells than in ADR-sensitive cells, IKKα knockdown results in apoptotic cell death of chemoresistant cells upon drug treatment. Moreover, IKKα knockdown promotes chemotherapeutic drug-induced tumor cell death in an transplanted tumor mouse model. Functionally, we demonstrated that IKKα knockdown significantly upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and Bax and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 upon ADR treatment. Our findings highlighted that IKKα exerts an important and previously unknown role in promoting chemoresistance in TNBC, combining IKKα inhibition with chemotherapy may be an effective strategy to improve treatment outcome in chemoresistant TNBC patients.

Perceived Importance of Breast Cancer Risk Factors: A Survey on 386 Physicians in China.

There are varying definitions of women at high risk of breast cancer across different institutions, and there are reports suggesting that the breast cancer risk assessment tools have not been well integrated into clinical practice. In this study, we tried to investigate the perceived importance of different breast cancer risk factors by physicians in China. A cross-sectional survey involving 386 anonymous physicians was conducted using a 20-item, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. The Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc pairwise comparisons were used to compare the differences in response. Most of the respondents were either breast surgeons/specialists (n=161; 41.7%) or medical oncologists (n=151; 39.1%), and the results showed that the breast cancer risk factors were not perceived as equally important. The weighting of each risk factor also varied depending on the physician's medical specialty, location of practice, and the number of years of clinical experience.  This study provides a more updated insight into the perceptions of physicians in China toward the breast cancer risk factors, as well as underlines the potential improvements in breast cancer risk assessment strategies that can be done.

Efficacy of Iodine-125 Seed Implantation in Locoregionally Recurrent and Unresectable Breast Cancer: a Retrospective Study.

The management of locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast cancer is a therapeutic challenge. This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of 125I seed implantation brachytherapy as a palliative management in locoregionally recurrent breast cancer. We analyzed 36 locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast cancers in our hospital between 2012 and 2016. All patients were treated with CT-guided 125I seed permanent implantation. The dose distribution of 125I seeds was calculated using a computerized treatment planning system. Complete response, partial response, stable disease, and local tumor control rates were calculated. Long-term efficacy was assessed based on survival rates ranging from 1 to 4 years. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 53 months. The median local control was 28 months (95% CI: 16.2-39.8 months). The percentage of patients who showed 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year local control was 97.2%, 77.8%, 52.8%, and 33.3%, respectively. Median survival time for all patients was 48 months (95% CI: 40.9-55.1 months); 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year survival rates were 97.2%, 80.6%, 63.9%, and 46.5%, respectively. Pain relief response rate was 88.9%. No serious complications were detected during the follow-up period. The results of this study demonstrate that 125I seed implantation could be considered a feasible and promising minimally invasive therapy for locoregionally recurrent and unresectable breast carcinoma.

Prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy response using diffuse optical spectroscopy in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) has been recently used to predict neoadjuvant chemotherapy response (NAC). In the present study, we explore the change in blood-oxygen content using DOS to predict NAC response against breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were enrolled and underwent DOS scan with blood-oxygen detection before each treatment cycle. The first DOS scan was performed before NAC treatment (pretreatment), and subsequent scans were performed after each NAC treatment circle. Changes in blood content and oxygen content by DOS were evaluated and compared with tumor size, and their changes were analyzed in response versus nonresponse group. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were classified into response and seven patients into nonresponse group. The tumor blood content value (-1.06 ± 0.43) and oxygen content value (0.48 ± 0.17) of DOS at pretreatment was significantly different from presurgery in response group (P < 0.05), but not in nonresponse group. In response group, the percentage change in blood content (median 91.19%) was significantly larger than tumor size (median 48.89%) (P = 0.0035), while in oxygen content (median 47.11%) is not (P = 0.2815). Comparing each cycle, the percentage change in blood content could distinguish responder from non-responder as early as after the first treatment cycle (19.1 versus 6.6%, P = 0.0265). Blood content percentage sensitivity was 76.9% and specificity was 85.7% (AUC 0.912), while oxygen content percentage sensitivity was 76.9% and specificity was 71.4% (AUC 0.797). CONCLUSION: Both blood and oxygen content measured by DOS could be used to discriminate responder to the treatment versus non-responder. Among the two, percentage change of blood content was more precise and earlier than that of oxygen content to predicted breast tumor response. The percentage change in blood content could distinguish responder from non-responder after the first treatment cycle.

Development of video-assisted breast cancer surgery: Initial experience with a novel method for creating working space without prior liposuction.

Endoscopic techniques are promising in breast surgery. In order to create working space, liposuction is widely used in video-assisted breast surgery (VABS). However, the use of liposuction is likely associated with side effects that may partly limit the application of VABS. Therefore, a new technique of endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy without prior liposuction was developed by our group. A total of 106 female patients underwent VABS, with special adaptation of the video-assisted surgical procedures previously described. Differing from other endoscopic surgery techniques, our adaptations of VABS included the selection of the working instruments, trocar placement, creation of working space, order of axillary lymph node dissection and method of mastectomy. The operative time was 50-180 min (mean, 85.5 min). The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 20 to 100 ml (mean, 48 ml). The mean lymph node number harvested was 11.5 (range, 6-31). No serious intra- or postoperative complications were recorded. There was no axillary tumor relapse, trocar site tumor implantation or upper limb edema. Without prior liposuction, our new technique of VABS reduced the blood loss volume, endoscopic surgery time, total volume of drainage fluid and, most importantly, the risk of port-site metastases. This new technique appears to have great clinical potential and good prospects for future endoscopic breast surgery development.

Expression of CDKN1A/p21 and TGFBR2 in breast cancer and their prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND: A new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker may be of value in cancer diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the CDKN1A/p21 and TGFBR2 level measurable in a cohort of patients with breast cancer after mastectomy, and to confirm their suitability to serve as prognostic biomarkers of the cancer. METHODS: The expression levels of CDKN1A/p21 and TGFBR2 were detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), western blot assay and immunohistochemical staining for 65 primary tumor samples and paired adjacent noncancerous breast tissues. Their relations to clinicopathologic parameters and to the prognosis of patients with breast cancer were analyzed. RESULTS: We found the mRNA and protein expression levels of CDKN1A/p21 were significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent nontumorous breast tissues. Increased CDKN1A/p21 expression showed a significant correlation with larger tumor size (P=0.014), higher tumor dedifferentiation grade (P=0.021), lymph node metastasis (P=0.019) and a shorter disease-free survival (P=0.044). Contrarily, the expression levels of TGFBR2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent nontumorous breast tissues. Underexpression of TGFBR2 in breast cancer was correlated with larger tumor size (P=0.034), lymph node metastasis (P=0.039) and a shorter disease-free survival (P=0.035). Statistical analysis suggested that there was no significant association between CDKN1A/p21 and TGFBR2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: in summary, our results suggested that high CDKN1A/p21 and low TGFBR2 expression was closely correlated with adverse pathological parameters and poor prognosis in breast cancer. Both CDKN1A/p21 and TGFBR2 are presented as possible candidates for breast cancer biomarkers.

Changed clinical aspects of primary liver cancer in China during the past 30 years.

BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most frequently seen tumors in China. Thirty years ago, patients with PLC were often detected at relatively late stage, with a palpable mass or marked clinical symptoms and poor prognosis. In the past 30 years, the diagnosis and treatment of PLC have been greatly improved with better prognosis. METHODS: In order to study the changes of PLC during the 30 years, the clinical data of 3250 patients with PLC from 10 medical institutions of China were collected, analyzed, and compared with those of 3254 PLC patients before the 30 years. RESULTS: In the 3250 patients aged 1-80 years, with an average age of 49.1 years, the male to female ratio (2.3:1) was lower than that before the 30 years. 73.5% of the 3250 patients sought medical advice within 3 months after the onset of the disease in contrast to 63.8% before the 30 years. Compared with those patients before the 30 years the symptoms and signs were alleviated generally. The HBsAg positive rate was 81.0%, but the HCV-Ab positive rate was 13.2%. The AFP level in 75% of patients was elevated, but in the remaining 25% was normal. 1912 patients (58.8%) were confirmed pathologically. Among them 1755 patients (91.8%) had hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall resection rate was 46.3%. Those who had early, middle, late stage carcinoma accounted for 29.9%, 51.5%, and 18.6% respectively in contrast to 0.4%, 47.0%, and 52.6% reported before the 30 years. The 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the patients were 66.1%, 39.7%, and 32.5% respectively, whereas 93.5%, 70.1%, and 59.1% for the early stage patients, and 65.3%, 30.5%, and 23.5% for the middle stage patients. The half and 1-year survival rates of the late stage patients were 52.5%, and 14.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison with the clinical data before and after the 30 years show that PLC can be diagnosed early. More PLC patients tend to undergo resection while receiving a better conservative treatment, which ensures a prognosis.

[Changes of clinical aspect of primary liver cancer in China during the past 30 years--control study for 3,250 cases with primary liver cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of the clinical aspects of primary liver cancer (PLC) during the past 30 years. METHODS: The clinical data of 3,250 patients with PLC, from 10 regions of China were collected, analyzed, and compared with the clinical data of 3254 PLC cases 30 years before. RESULTS: The 3,250 patients were aged 1- 80, with an average age of 49.1 years, younger than those 30 years before (43.7 years). The male to female ratio was 2.3:1, lower than that 30 years before (7.7:1). 73.5% of them sought medical advice within 3 months after the onset in comparison of 63.8% 30 years before. Compared with those 30 years before the symptoms and signs were alleviated in general. The HBsAg positive rate was 81.0%, the HCV-Ag positive rate was 13.2%, and the alpha-fetoprotein positive rate was 75%. 1912 cases underwent pathological examination of which 91.8% were diagnosed as with hepatocellular carcinoma. The overall resection rate was 46,3%. Those of early, median, and late stages accounted for 29.9%, 51.5%, and 18.6% respectively in comparison with the rates of 0.4%, 47.0%, and 52.6% 30 years before. The one-year survival rate, three-year survival rate, and five-year survival rate were 66.1%, 39.7%, and 32.5% respectively for the whole group, 93.5%, 70.1%, and 59.1% for the early stage patients, and 65.3%, 30.5%, and 23.5% respectively for the median stage patients. The half-year survival rate and one-year survival rate of the late stage patients were 52.5% and 14.7% respectively. Compared with the data 30 years before a lower percentages of the patients died of hepatic coma, hemorrhage of upper digestive tract and hemorrhage due to rupture of tumor, and a higher percentage of then died of asthenia universalis and other causes. CONCLUSION: In comparison with the situation 30 years ago, PLC can be diagnosed earlier. More patients undergo resection. The prognosis of PLC has been improved greatly.

Prognostic value of Ki67 expression in HR-negative breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of Ki67 has been identified as a prognostic and predictive marker in hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer, however, there is little evidence of the association of Ki67 with prognosis in HR-negative patients. We aimed to assess the benefit of Ki67 assessment in HR-negative breast cancers after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS: In the present study, a total of 183 HR-negative breast cancer patients with Stage II to III that treated with anthracycline and/or taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Endocrine therapy and trastuzumab was not administered to any patients in this study. Clinical and pathological features of the patients with breast cancer were retrieved from the hospital records. Predictive factors for NAC response and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, 122 (66.6%) were HR- HER2+, and 61 (33.3%) were triple-negative. The clinical response rates were similar across breast cancer subtype. Patients whose tumors contained high Ki67 expression effectively responded to NAC. Ki67 labeling index was a predictive marker for pathologic complete response (pCR). Ki67 expression showed a positive correlation with HER2 status, tumor size, lymph node status, lymphovascular invasion and tumor grade. Furthermore, high Ki67 expression in post-treatment tumors was strongly correlated with poor disease-free survival (DFS), but no correlation of Ki-67 expression with overall survival (OS) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Ki67 expression in HR-negative breast cancer may improve the assessment of pathological response after NAC, and Ki67 score in residual tumor was an independent prognosticator for DFS in the HR-negative breast cancer patients.

Platinum-based chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: A meta-analysis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors do not express estrogen, progesterone or HER2/neu-receptors. There are no specific treatment guidelines for TNBC patients, however, it has been postulated that their phenotypic and molecular similarity to BRCA1-associated cancers would confer sensitivity to certain cytotoxic agents, including platinum. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy who had TNBC compared with those with non-TNBC. Electronic (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases) and manual searches were conducted throughout December 2011 to identify trials evaluating the use of platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer. The methodological quality was assessed in accordance with the QUOROM statement. Seven studies met the eligibility criteria, with a total of 717 patients. Of these patients, 225 were TNBC patients (31%), 492 were non-TNBC patients (69%), 275 received platinum-based neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and 442 had advanced/metastatic breast cancers. The results showed that during neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, the clinical complete response (cCR) rate and the pathological complete response (pCR) rates were significantly higher for the TNBC group compared with the non-TNBC group (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.69-6.57; P=0.03 and OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.28, 6.53; P= 0.01, respectively). However, in advanced/metastatic breast cancers, the cCR, partial response (PR) and the disease control rates for the TNBC group were not significantly different compared with the non-TNBC group. The 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate for the TNBC group was higher than that of the non-TNBC group in all patients (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11-2.96; P= 0.02). However, the 1- and 2-year PFS rates were not significantly different (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.69-2.92; P=0.35 and OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.35-3.52; P= 0.85, respectively). Furthermore, the PFS rates were not significantly different between the groups in patients with advanced/metastatic breast cancer. In conclusion, platinum-based chemotherapy in the breast cancer patients with TNBC showed an improved short-term efficacy compared with the non-TNBC group during neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, but has not yet been demonstrated to have an improved effect in advanced breast cancer.

Comparison of long-term survival of patients with BCLC stage B hepatocellular carcinoma after liver resection or transarterial chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Treatment of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC-B HCC) is controversial. This study compared the long-term survival of patients with BCLC-B HCC who received liver resection (LR) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: A total of 257 and 135 BCLC-B HCC patients undergoing LR and TACE, respectively, were retrospectively evaluated. Kaplan-Meier method was used for long-term survival analysis. Independent prognostic predictors were determined by the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was similar between groups (3.1% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.76). However, the LR group showed a significantly higher postoperative complication rate than the TACE group (28 vs. 18.5%; P = 0.04). At the same time, the LR group showed significantly higher overall survival rates (1 year, 84 vs. 69%; 3 years, 59 vs. 29%; 5 years, 37 vs. 14%; P<0.001). Moreover, similar results were observed in the propensity score model. Three independent prognostic factors were associated with worse overall survival: serum AFP level (≥400 ng/ml), serum ALT level, and TACE. CONCLUSIONS: LR appears to be as safe as TACE for patients with BCLC-B HCC, and it provides better long-term overall survival. However, prospective studies are needed to disclose if LR may be regarded as the preferred treatment for these patients as long as liver function is preserved.

Epidermal growth factor gene polymorphism and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex process that may be influenced by many factors, including polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene. Previous work suggests an association between the EGF 61*A/G polymorphism (rs4444903) and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of several studies covering a large population to address this controversy. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. Data were abstracted independently by two reviewers. A meta-analysis was performed to examine the association between EGF 61*A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to HCC. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Eight studies were chosen in this meta-analysis, involving 1,304 HCC cases (1135 Chinese, 44 Caucasian and 125 mixed) and 2,613 controls (1638 Chinese, 77 Caucasian and 898 mixed). The EGF 61*G allele was significantly associated with increased risk of HCC based on allelic contrast (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.16-1.44, p<0.001), homozygote comparison (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.39-2.29, p<0.001) and a recessive genetic model (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.16-1.54, p<0.001), while patients carrying the EGF 61*A/A genotype had significantly lower risk of HCC than those with the G/A or G/G genotype (A/A vs. G/A+G/G, OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53-0.83, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The 61*G polymorphism in EGF is a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis while the EGF 61*A allele is a protective factor. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.

[Comprehensive therapy for primary liver cancer: a report of 607 cases].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Progress has been made in the field of early detection and early treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC), but many PLC patients remain unresectable, because their tumors are advanced or coexist with liver cirrhosis. Even if the tumor can be resected, the recurrent rate is more than 60%. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of comprehensive therapy of PLC to improve the outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 607 patients with PLC received comprehensive treatment in Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Guangxi Medical University from 1985 to 2001. Among them, 423 cases were treated with various modes of hepatectomy: 134 with irregular hepatectomy, 95 with local radical resection, 123 with regular liver lobectomy or liver segment resection, 54 with semi-hepatectomy or more, 17 with hepatectomy combined with section of other organ. The other 184 nonresectable cases were treated with various combinations of therapy, such as ligation of hepatic artery, microwave coagulation, inter tumor injection of ethanol, cryosurgery, radio-frequency (RF), and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. RESULTS: 69.7%(423/607) of the whole group received liver resection, the overall mortality rate within one month after operation was 1.2%(5/423), and the 3-, 5-, 10-year survival rates were 42.7%(218/511), 37.5%(123/328), and 26.5%(26/98), respectively. For the resection group,the 3-, 5-, 10-year survival rates were 57.2%(203/355), 51.3%(118/230), and 35.3%(24/68), respectively. For the nonresectable group, the 3-, 5-, 10-year survival rates were 9.6%(15/156), 5.1%(5/98), and 6.7%(2/30), respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgery-predominant comprehensive therapy is effective modality for resectable PLC. Postoperative individualized comprehensive treatment can prevent tumor recurrence and improve postoperative effect.

[Surgery-predominant comprehensive therapy for 134 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Although surgical resection is the primary choice modality in treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), the 5-year recurrent rate after resection was as high as 35.4%-43.5%. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of surgery-predominant comprehensive therapy for small HCC in reducing the recurrent rate and improving the outcome. METHODS: A total of 134 cases of small HCC (< or = 5 cm in diameter) received surgery-predominant comprehensive treatment in The Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Guangxi Medical University from 1985 to 2001. The median age of the patients was 45 years old (range,18-70 years). Of 134 cases, 121 were treated with hepatectomy: 16 with irregular hepatectomy, 83 with local radical resection, 12 with regular liver lobe resection or liver segment resection, 2 with left semi-hepatectomy, and 8 with hepatectomy and gallbladder resection. In the other 13 cases of nonresectable small HCC, they received multimodality treatments by various combinations of hepatic artery ligation and anticancer agents by hepatic artery infusion, microwave coagulation, ethanol injection into tumor, cryosurgery,radio-frequency (RF), and hepatic artery chemoembolization therapy. RESULTS: Of 134 HCC patients, 90.3% received liver resection and no operative death occurred. For the surgery group, the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 89.3%, 74.4%, 64.6%, and 43.8%, respectively; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrent rates were 11.9%, 23.8%, and 32.1%, respectively. For the total group,the 1-, 3-,5-, and 10-year survival rates were 88.8%, 72.2%, 63.4%, and 41.7%, respectively; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrent rates were 15.9%, 29.1%, and 36.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection remains primary choice modality in treatment of small HCC; postoperative comprehensive treatment is important for preventing tumor recurrence and improving the long-term results.

[Expression and significance of EGF mRNA and EGFR mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Many evidences demonstrated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) subfamily played an important role in they initiation and progression of various cancers. But it is not clear whether there is a relationship between EGFR and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of the present study were to explore the expression and significance of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA and EGFR mRNA in human HCC tissues. METHODS: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to determine the expression of EGF mRNA and EGFR mRNA in 60 HCC tissues and their adjacent liver tissues. RESULTS: The positive rate of EGF mRNA was significantly lower in the HCC tissue (60%, 36/60) than in the adjacent liver tissue (80%, 48/60) (P< 0.05). The positive rate of EGFR mRNA in the HCC tissue (60%, 36/60) was markedly higher than in the adjacent liver tissue (41.67%, 25/60) (P< 0.05). The expression of EGFR mRNA in the HCC tissue was significantly correlated with the clinical stage, the portal vein tumor thrombus, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, and the recurrence of tumor, the number of tumor, but not correlated with the diameter of tumor, the level of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), the differentiation of tumor and the liver cirrhosis in the adjacent tissue. The detectable rate of EGF mRNA was correlated with the diameter of tumor but not correlated with the clinical stage, the portal vein tumor thrombus, the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, the recurrence of tumor, the number of tumor, the level of serum AFP, the differentiation of tumor and the liver cirrhosis in the adjacent tissue. CONCLUSIONS: EGF may not be involved in the initiation and progression of HCC, whereas, EGFR relates to the initiation and progression and the recurrence of HCC. EGFR can be considered as a marker for predicting the metastasis and recurrence of HCC.