Hepatocellular carcinogenesis is a complicated process resulting from multiple molecular events leading to the initiation, promotion and progression of tumors.30, 31 Zhao et al.32 reported that sialylation might modulate the invasion and chemosensitivity of HCC, likely through ST6Gal-I or ST8SIA-II regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling. This evidence concerns the gene ST8SIA2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.