Background: S100A14 has recently been implicated in the progress of several types of cancers. This studyaimed to investigate the clinical significance and possible mechanisms of action of S100A14 in the invasion andmetastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: S100A14 expression in HCC was detected at mRNA andprotein levels and its prognostic significance was assessed. Functional roles of S100A14 in HCC were investigatedusing MTT, BrdU, wound healing, transwell invasion assay and HCC metastatic mouse model. Results: S100A14was significantly elevated in HCC tissues, correlated with multiple tumor nodes, high Edmondson-Steiner gradeand vascular invasion. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the S100A14 expression level was a significant andindependent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) of HCC patients (hazard ratio=1.98, 95% confidenceinterval=1.14-3.46, P=0.013). S100A14 promoted cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis of HCC in vitro andin vivo. Conclusion: These results suggest S100A14 is a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
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