association of upregulated hmgb1 and c-iap2 proteins with hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression

conclusions expression of hmgb1 and c-iap2 proteins was associated with hcc development and progression, and the expression of hmgb1 and c-iap2 proteins in hcc were significantly associated with each other. additionally, these proteins may show promise as biomarkers to predict hcc progression. background hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) is one of the most important health problems in china. objectives this study analyzed expression of high-mobility group protein b1 (hmgb1) and inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (c-iap2) proteins in hcc compared to paired para-tumor tissue samples to assess the association with hcc pathogenesis and progression. materials and methods sixty-eight hcc and para-tumor tissue samples were collected for western blot, qrt-pcr and immunohistochemical analyses of hmgb1 and c-iap2. results hmgb1 and c-iap2 proteins were highly expressed in hcc tissue samples [85.3% (58/68) and 82.4% (56/68), respectively] compared to para-tumor tissue samples [32.3% and 27.9%, respectively]. furthermore, expression of hmgb1 was significantly associated with enhanced c-iap2 expression in hcc tissue samples (r = 0.878, p < 0.01). expression of hmgb1 was associated with tumor multiplicity and size, alpha-fetoprotein (afp) level and advanced tnm stage, while expression of c-iap2 was associated with tumor size, afp level and advanced tnm stage.