Abstract:Objective:To investigate the expression of Skp2 and C-myc in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathologic characteristics. Methods:The expression of skp2 and C-myc was evaluated in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues of 48 patients, liver cirrhosis tissues of 20 cases, and normal liver tissues of 16 patients by immunohistochemistry(PV9000 two steps methods).Results:The expression rate of skp2(33.3%) in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in liver cirrhosis tissues(negative expression)( P=0.008)and normal liver tissues(negative expression)( P=0.020).The expression of skp2 was correlated with histological differentiation and metastasis(P﹤0.001 and P=0.017),but not with tumour size(P=0.058)，and it was not expressed in highly differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. The expression rate of C-myc protein in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues(58.3%) was significantly higher than that in liver cirrhosis tissues(15%)(P=0.001) and normal tissues(negative expression)(P<0.001). The expression of C-myc was correlated with histological differentiation(P<0.001), metastasis(P=0.023), and tumour size(P=0.007).The expression of skp2 in hepatocellular carcinoma was positively correlated with the expression of C-myc(r=0.508, P<0.001). Conclusions:C-myc gene may be closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The expression of skp2 indicates a poor prognosis. The expression of skp2 in hepatocellular carcinoma may be positively modulated by the activation of C-myc gene.