ABSTRACT
HCC (Hepatocellular carcinoma) is one of the most malignant diseases in the world with a high incidence and mortality. Surgical resection treatment offers the best prognosis for long-term survival, but unfortunately only 10-15% of patients are suitable for surgical resection (El-Serag et al. 2008). Recently, we reported that antisense oligonucleotides targeting MK (Midkine) suppressed the growth of HCC tumors in nude mice signifi cantly. MK, a heparin-binding growth factor or cytokine, has been reported to be generally overexpressed in malignant tumors and exhibits several cancer-related activities, including fi brinolytic, anti-apoptotic, mitogenic, transforming, angiogenic and chemotactic functions (Calinescu et al. 2009; Ezquerra et al. 2008; Garver et al. 1994; Kato et al. 2000; Maeda et al. 2007; Murasugi and Tohma-Aiba 2001; Rha et al. 1997).
