Abstract: Objective To detected KLF17 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate its effect on the prognosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of KLF17 in hepatocellular carcinoma, and analyze the relationship between KLF17 expression and disease free survival（DFS） and overall survival （OS）of patients. Comparison of the primary cultured Hep11 and Hep12 cells invasion and migration ability, as well as the difference of KLF 17 expression. SiRNA interfered KLF17 expression of Hep11，then transwell chambers were used in the in vitro migration and invison anssay. Result Of 36 patients, 19 patients were score 0-2 of KLF17, 17 patients were score 3-5. Disease free survival of patients with score 3-5 were longer, 39.3 ± 4.2 months, patients score 0-2 was 23.4 ± 4.9 months (p<0.05). The overall survival of KLF17 score 3-5 patients was 46.9 ± 3.2 months, patients score 0-2 of KLF17 was 35.2 ± 4.2 months(p<0.05). Hep12 exhibited a higher invasive and migratory potential than Hep11. There was also a significantly higher expression of KLF17in Hep11 cells than in Hep11 cells. Down-regulation of KLF17 enhanced migration and invasion of Hep11 cells. Conclusion Expression of KLF17 may be independent predict factors for prognosis of HCC patients.

Key words: KLF17, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Prognosis