SUMMARY The mechanism of cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. Using gene profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues, we have identified GOLM1 as a leading gene relating to HCC metastasis. GOLM1 expression is correlated with early recurrence, metastasis and poor survival of HCC patients. Both gain- and loss-of-function studies determine GOLM1 acts as a key oncogene by promoting HCC growth and metastasis. It selectively interacts with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and serves as a specific cargo adaptor to assist EGFR/RTK anchoring on trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling back to plasma membrane leading to a prolonged activation of the downstream kinases. These findings reveal the function role of GOLM1, a Golgi-related protein, in EGFR/RTK recycling and metastatic progression of HCC.

Targeting mammalian target of rapamycin pathways in combination with PD-1 may result in increased antitumor efficacy in cancer patients. (Hepatology 2017;66:1920-1933).

performed experiments and analyzed data. Qinghai Ye provided patient tissue samples. Qiongzhu Dong, Hirohito Yamaguchi, and Yi Du provided scientific input and critical cells. Jennifer L. Hsu revised the manuscript. Mien-Chie Hung supervised the entire project, designed the experiments, analyzed data, and wrote the manuscript.