Abstract: In the present invention, it is confirmed that cystatin B (cystatin B, CSTB) can be used as a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma. Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for early diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma using the cystatin B as a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma, a method for determining the progression or prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma according to the CSTB expression level, and a method for applying to the prevention or treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by adjusting the cystatin B expression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a marker for diagnosis of liver cancer comprising polynucleotide useful for diagnosis of liver cancer. The marker for liver cancer diagnosis comprises at least one polynucleotide selected from a group consisting of the following polynucleotides (a) to (d):(a) polynucleotide having a base sequence defined by Seq. No. 1 or substantially similar sequence to Seq. No. 1; (b) polynucleotide encoding specific protein composed of an amino acid sequence defined by Seq. No. 2; (c) polynucleotide that comprises Seq. No. 2, in which at least one amino acid is substituted, deleted, inserted and/or added, and that encodes protein functionally equivalent to specific protein composed of Seq. No. 2; and (d) polynucleotide that is encoded by another polynucleotide hybridized with polynucleotide having Seq. No. 1 under stringent conditions, and that encodes protein functionally equivalent to specific protein composed of Seq. No. 2.