Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is asymptomatic at an early stage which delays its timely diagnosis and treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), derived from a primary or secondary tumor, may help in the management of HCC. Here, we evaluate and characterize CTCs in liver disease patients. Methods: Total 65 patients, categorized into liver cirrhosis (LC) (n=30) and HCC (n=35) were enrolled.
Using Image stream X MkII imaging flow cytometer, CTCs were detected and characterized using biomarker expression of EpCAM, CK, AFP, CD45, and DRAQ5 in LC and HCC patients. Results: CTCs were detected in 33/35 (94%) HCC patients and in 28/30 (93%) LC patients. In the HCC group, the number of biomarker-positive CTCs was higher in BCLC Stage D when compared with others. EpCAM+CK was the most expressed biomarker on CTCs in LC vs HCC (83.3% vs 77.14%), followed by AFP (80% vs 65.71%), EpCAM…
