Objective To determine whether Rb gene is involved in the genesis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). MethodsForty paraffin specimens of primary HCCs with corresponding adjacent liver tissues and normal liver tissues were investigated for Rb protein expression by tissue chip and SP immunohistochemical technique. ResultsLoss of Rb protein expression occurred in 17 of 40 tumor samples, whereas in 4 of 40 adjacent liver tissue samples, only 1 of 40 normal liver tissue specimens showed negative Rb staining.Rb protein deletion in HCC was higher than that in adjacent tissues and normal liver tissues (P<0.05).Rb protein deletion rate doesn’t correlated remarkably with tumor size or phathology grade of HCC (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionRb protein deletion may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of HCC.Tissue chip is an effective highthroughput technique platform for the study of tumor molecular pathology.