EGR1 and hepatocellular carcinoma: Early growth response factor (Egr-1), an immediate early gene and a zinc finger transcription factor, is rapidly induced in response to IR.15, 16, 17 Upon irradiation, Egr-1 can act as a master transcription factor that controls the expression and regulation of various proteins, and other transcription factors to inhibit apoptosis and enhance tumor growth.18, 19, 20 Our previous studies showed that Egr-1 promotes hypoxia-induced autophagy to enhance chemoresistance of HCC cells.21