Abstract
Background: Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are
main components of tumor microenvirnoment. They act an

essential role in tumor progression, invasion and unresponsiveness
to chemotherapy.

Aim of Study: This work aims to study the relation of

CAFs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developement
and progression.

Material and Methods: This is an uncontrolled retrospective
study carried upon 30 cases of HCC. Cases were collected

from archives of Pathology Department and Early Cancer

Detection Unit (ECDU), Faculty of Medicine, Benha University,
and from International Medical Center during the years

2010-2015. Podoplanin (D2-40), alpha smooth muscle actin

(α
-SMA) and CD31 immunohistochemichal staining were

performed and evaluated for each case.
Results:
Both D2-40 and
α
-SMA showed different distributions
and levels of expression. D2-40 positivity was localized

to the peri-tumoral area, while
α
-SMA was detected in both

intra- and peritumoral areas. Expression of both markers was
not statistically related to each other (
p
>0.05). D2-40 was
positive in 73.3% of casesand
α
-SMA showed high expressionin
60% of cases. Both positive D2-40 and high
α-SMA



showed positive relations to tumor grade (p