To evaluate the diagnostic significance of p16 overexpression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed p16 status and growth inhibitory patterns by p16 overexpression in HCC cell lines having different pRE status. SKHep1 and SNU449 cells show homozygous deletion of p16. The p16 gene in SNU398 cell is inactivated at posttranscription level. Adenovira1-p16 (Ad-p16) infection inhibits the cell growth in Hep3B, SNU398, and SNU449. Failure of growth inhibition in SKHepl results from the low transduction efficiency of adenovirus. The p16-mediated growth inhibition shows G 1 phase arrest in pRE-positive SNU449 but not in pRE-negative Hep3B. These results suggest that therapeutic efficacy of p16 gene might be considered on the transduction efficiency and the toxicity of adenoviral vector. Beside, growth inhibitory effect of p16 could be exerted through either pRE-dependent or -independent pathway.