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Role of circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

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Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) and cancer stem cells (CSC) have been proposed as tools for detection and characterization of disease and individualization of therapy in patients with many solid tumors. Several automated and semi-automated techniques for identification and isolation of these cells from blood have been proposed and reviewed mostly focusing on their feasibility. In this mini review we summarize the recent relevant literature on this topic and discuss the clinical usability of measuring CTC and CSC in peripheral blood in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Besides literature, the basis for this evaluation was the authors’ experience with treating HCC and research experience on CSC and CTC. Few original reports and reviews have been published focusing on CTC and CSC in HCC. Though HCC is one of the five most common malignancies worldwide only recently these cells have come into focus for detection and characterization of this disease that is characterized by high plasticity and malignancy. A focused and prospective validation of the clinical usability of detecting these cells in HCC is still needed, but results seem promising that they may add great benefit for early detection and individualization of therapy.

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Abbreviations

CTCs:

Circulating tumor cells

qRT-PCR:

Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

CK:

Cytokeratin

EpCAM:

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule

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Compliance with ethical requirements and Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no ethical conflicts. Ivonne Nel, Paul David, Guido G. H. Gerken, Joerg F. Schlaak and Andreas-Claudius Hoffmann declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Molecular Oncology Risk-Profile Evaluation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147, Essen, Germany

    Ivonne Nel, Paul David & Andreas-Claudius Hoffmann

  2. Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India

    Paul David

  3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany

    Guido G. H. Gerken & Joerg F. Schlaak

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Duisburg-Nord, Duisburg, Germany

    Joerg F. Schlaak

Authors
  1. Ivonne Nel
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  2. Paul David
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  4. Joerg F. Schlaak
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  5. Andreas-Claudius Hoffmann
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Correspondence to Andreas-Claudius Hoffmann.

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Nel, I., David, P., Gerken, G.G.H. et al. Role of circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Int 8, 321–329 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-014-9539-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-014-9539-3

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