AIM:To block the adhesion of tumor cells to the extra- cellular matrix, and prevent tumor metastasis and recur- rence, the dimer of the β peptide (DLYYLMDLSYSMKG- GDLYYLMDLSYSMK, β2) was designed and synthesized and its anti-adhesion and anti-invasion effects on hepa- tocellular carcinoma cells were assessed. Additionally, its influence on the metastasis and recurrence of mouse hepatocellular carcinoma was measured. METHODS:The anti-adhesion effect of β2 on the highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HCCLM6 cells and fibronectin (FN) was assayed by the MTT as- say. The inhibition of invasion of HCCLM6 cells by β2 was observed using a Transwell (modified Boyden chamber) and matrigel. Using the hepatocellular carcinoma metas- tasis model and LCI-D20 nude mice, the influence of β2 on the metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carci- noma after early resection was investigated. RESULTS:HCCLM6 cells co-incubated with 100 mmol/L, 50 mmol/L, 20 mmol/L or 10 mmol/L β2 for 3 h showed an obvious decrease in adhesion to FN. The adhesion inhibition ratios were 11.8%, 21.7%, 29.6% and 48.7%, respectively. Additionally, HCCLM6 cells cultured with 100 mmol/L β2 had a dramatic decrease in cell invasion. β2 was also observed to inhibit the incisal edge recur- rence and the distant metastasis of nude mice hepato- cellular carcinoma after early resection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:The β2 peptide can specifically block the adhesion and invasion of HCCLM6 cells, and can inhibit HCC recurrence and metastasis of LCI-D20 model pos-thepatectomy in vivo. Thus, β2 should be further studied as a new anti-tumor drug. AIM: To block the adhesion of tumor cells to the extra-cellular matrix, and prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence, the dimer of the beta peptide (DLYYLMDLSYSMKG- GDLYYLMDLSYSMK, β2) was designed and synthesized and its anti-adhesion and anti- METHODS: The anti-adhesion effect of β2 on the highly metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HCCLM6 cells and fibronectin (FN ) was assayed by the MTT as- say. The inhibition of invasion of HCCLM6 cells by β2 was observed using a Transwell (modified Boyden chamber) and matrigel. Using the hepatocellular carcinoma metas- tasis model and LCI-D20 nude mice, the influence of β2 on the metastasis and recurrence of hepatocellular carci- noma after early resection was investigated. RESULTS: HCCLM6 cells co-incubated with 100 mmol / L, 50 mmol / L, 20 mmol / L or 10 mmol / L β2 f or 3 h showed an obvious decrease in adhesion to FN. The adhesion inhibition ratios were 11.8%, 21.7%, 29.6% and 48.7%, respectively. Additionally, HCCLM6 cells cultured with 100 mmol / L β2 had a dramatic decrease in cell invasion. β2 was also observed to inhibit the incisal edge recur- rence and the distant metastasis of nude mice hepato-cellular carcinoma after early resection (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The β2 peptide can specifically block the adhesion and invasion of HCCLM6 cells, and can inhibit HCC recurrence and metastasis of LCI-D20 model pos-the spatectomy in vivo. Thus, β2 should be further studied as a new anti-tumor drug.