The study aimed at analysing (1) the correlation between COX-2 expression and angiogenic factors, (2) the correlation between COX-2 expression and miR-101/miR-16 and (3) the correlation between angiogenic factors and miR-21 in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic HCC, both in tumor tissue and adjacent liver parenchyma. Here, PTGS2 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.