Since the presence of portal vein invasion is one of the most important prognostic factors for HCC patients (Izumi et al, 1994; Shimada et al, 1998; Ikai et al, 2004), we therefore investigated a possible correlation between EZH2 mRNA values, quantitatively determined by a real-time RT–PCR, and the prognosis of HCC patients. This evidence concerns the gene EZH2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.