ArticleJournal of hepatocellular carcinoma2026
The Prognostic Value of Circulating Stem Cells Expressing PD-L1 in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Article in Journal of hepatocellular carcinoma, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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14 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with high recurrence rates despite curative-intent liver resection. This necessitates improved prognostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Circulating stem cells (CSCs) have emerged as potential prognostic biomarkers. Aim: To assess the prognostic relevance of CSCs expressing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1+CSCs) in relation to recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing surgery for HCC. Methods: PD-L1+CSCs (CD45-/CD146+/ASGPR+/CD90+/PD-L1+) were analyzed in 27 HCC patients before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at 6 and 12 months after surgery using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Tumor recurrence was monitored biannually through alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurements and imaging (CT/MRI). Control groups included patients with benign liver disease, non-HCC malignancies, and healthy donors. Results: Before surgery, 29.7% (8/27) of HCC patients had detectable PD-L1+CSCs. Postoperatively, their frequency initially declined to 22.3%, followed by a significant rise to 85% at six months and 88% at twelve months (both p < 0.01). Increasing postoperative PD-L1+CSC levels were associated with tumor recurrence (51.8%). The presence of preoperative PD-L1+CSCs correlated with reduced OS (p = 0.05) and shorter RFS (p = 0.07). Conclusion: PD-L1+CSCs are associated with poor oncological outcomes and represent promising prognostic and therapeutic targets in HCC.
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