Rsf-1 overexpression serves as a prognostic marker in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Rsf-1 (HBXAP) was recently reported to be overexpressed in various cancers and associated with the malignant behavior of cancer cells. However, the expression of Rsf-1 and its clinical significance in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been reported. In the present study, we analyzed the expression pattern of Rsf-1 in human HCC tissues and found that Rsf-1 was overexpressed in 41.1 % of HCC specimens. There was a significant association between Rsf-1 overexpression and tumor stage (p = 0.0322), AFP (p = 0.0184), and tumor relapse (p = 0.0112). Furthermore, Rsf-1 overexpression correlated with poor overall survival in HCC patients (p < 0.001). Rsf-1 overexpression could serve as an independent predictor for poor recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0079). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown in SK-Hep-1 cells with high endogenous Rsf-1 expression inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, with downregulation of cyclin E protein. In conclusion, Rsf-1 is overexpressed in HCCs and serves as a novel tumor marker. Rsf-1 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through regulation of cell cycle proteins.