OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between p16 gene expression and the carcinogenesis and progress of hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSIn 35 specimens of HCC tissue and the adjacent liver tissue, the integration of HBV X gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot. The point mutation of exon-1alpha, 2 and 3 of p16 gene were detected by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). The expression of p16 mRNA and p16 protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe integration of X gene correlated with the expression loss of p16 mRNA and p16 protein in HCC (P < 0.05). The expression loss rates of p16 protein in HCC and adjacent tissues were 62.9% (22/35) and 40.0% (14/35) with significant difference (P < 0.05). The expression loss of p16 protein in HCC correlated with the differentiation degrees of HCC and the infiltration of tumor cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integration of X gene correlates with the expression loss of p16 protein. The alteration of p16 gene, playing an important role in all stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, correlates with the progress and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma.