Abstract: Aim: To assess the effects of the expression of CD95 and OX40 ligand (OX40L) messenger RNA (mRNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to explore the clinical values. Methods: CD95 expression by CD3 positive T cells was quantitatively measured by dual color flow cytometry. Expression of OX40L mRNA were detected by TaqMan real-time reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: CD95 expression by CD3 positive T cells was significantly higher in patients with HCC (34±20%) compared with normal controls (20±7%) (P<0.05). The expression level of OX40L mRNA was significantly decreased in patients with HCC compared with normal controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that abnormal expressions of CD95 and OX40L in patients with HCC play an oncogenic role at stage of human hepatocarcinogenesis.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, CD95, OX40L, mRNA