Association between Vessels Encapsulating Tumor Clusters and Circulating Tumor Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Evidence and Risk Model Development.

ABSTRACT: Background: Vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are recognized as emerging potential biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the underlying connection between them is not fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the association between VETC and CTCs and evaluate their potential clinical utility. Methods: This retrospective cohort study (NCT05297955) included 165 HCC patients who underwent curative hepatic resection. VETC was identified via CD34 immunohistochemical staining, and preoperative CTC levels were measured using the CellSearch platform. Propensity score matching (PSM) adjusted for confounders, and LASSO-Cox regression was used to develop a prognostic model. Results: VETC-positive tumors were signific

SUBMITTER: Xu DF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12243867 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature