AIM: To identify genes differentially expressed in mouse hepatocarcinoma ascites cell line with low potential of lymphogenous metastasis. METHODS: A subtracted cDNA library of mouse hepatocarcinoma cell line with low potential of lymphogenous metastasis Hca-P and its synogenetic cell line Hca-F with high metastatic potential was constructed by suppression subtracted hybridization (SSH) method.The screened clones of the subtracted library were sequenced and GenBank homology search was performed. RESULTS:Fifteen differentially expressed cDNA fragments of Hca-P were obtained which revealed 8 known genes,4 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and 3 cDNAs showed no homology. CONCLUSION: Tumor metastasis is an incident involving multiple genes.SSH is a useful technique to detect differentially expressed genes and an effective method to clone novel genes.