ArticleScientific reports2023
EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells and serum AFP levels predict outcome after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Article in Scientific reports, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- Prognostic value of combined FIB-4 and AFP in predicting survival after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter cohort study.BMC cancer · 2026Article
- AFP Stimulates Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming Contributing to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Resist Sorafenib Through Activating PI3K/AKT Signalling Pathway.Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2026Article
- No-touch versus conventional radiofrequency ablation for treating solitary recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma ≤ 3 cm: a retrospective cohort study.Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2026Article
- Neoadjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: emerging combinations and biomarker challenges.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Redefining cancer care: harnessing circulating tumor cells' potential for improved diagnosis and prognosis.Cancer cell international · 2025Review
- Does very high alpha-fetoprotein affect very early hepatocellular carcinoma receiving hepatectomy?Langenbeck's archives of surgery · 2025Article
- Paracancerous binuclear hepatocytes assessed by computer program is a novel biomarker for short term recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Biological roles and clinical applications of EpCAM in HCC.Discover oncology · 2025Review
- Machine Learning Prognostic Model for Post-Radical Resection Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis B Patients.Journal of hepatocellular carcinoma · 2025Article
- Cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: therapy resistance and emerging treatments.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Review
- Nanomaterial-based detection of circulating tumor cells and circulating cancer stem cells for cancer immunotherapy.Nano convergence · 2024Review
- Regulation of the Function and Expression of EpCAM.Biomedicines · 2024Review
- Prognostic model for predicting recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with high systemic immune-inflammation index based on machine learning in a multicenter study.Frontiers in immunology · 2024Article
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16 authors.
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high recurrence rates exceeding 50% despite curative resection. The serum biomarker alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-known prognostic marker for HCC. EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells (CTC) have a high predictive value for early HCC recurrence after curatively intended resection, most likely indicating micro-metastases at the time of resection. However, sensitivity remains low. The objective of this study was to evaluate a composite test comprising both CTC and AFP to identify patients at high risk for early HCC recurrence. We prospectively enrolled 58 patients undergoing curative intended resection for HCC at a tertiary referral center. Blood specimens were obtained prior to resection and analyzed for EpCAM-positive CTC and serum AFP levels. A positive result was defined as either detection of CTC or AFP levels ≥ 400 ng/ml. Eight patients tested positive for CTC, seven for AFP, and two for both markers. A positive composite test was significantly associated with shorter early recurrence-free survival (5 vs. 16 months, p = 0.005), time to recurrence (5 vs. 16 months, p = 0.011), and overall survival (37 vs. not reached, p = 0.034). Combining CTC and AFP identified patients with poor outcome after surgical resection, for whom adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapies may be particularly desirable.
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