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AIM:To evaluate the relationship of expression of paxillin, syndecan-1 and EMMPRIN proteins with clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS:Fifty-one patients who underwent HCC resection were recruited in the study. Paxillin, syndecan-1 and EMMPRIN proteins in HCC tissues were detected with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: CONCLUSION:Expression of paxillin and syndecan-1 proteins in HCC may affect its invasive and metastatic ability of the tumor. There may be a converse correlation between the expression of paxillin and syndecan-1 protein in HCC. Expression of EMMPRIN protein may be detected in HCC, but it may play little role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC.