title: Circulating tumor cell detection in hepatocellular carcinoma based on karyoplasmic ratios using imaging flow cytometry.
abstract: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) originate from tumor tissues and are associated with cancer prognosis. However, existing technologies for CTC detection are limited owing to a lack of specific or accurate biomarkers. Here, we developed a new method for CTC detection based on the karyoplasmic ratio, without biomarkers. Consecutive patients with liver cancer or non-cancer liver diseases were recruited. CTCs in blood samples were analyzed by imaging flow cytometry based on the karyoplasmic ratio as well as EpCAM and CD45. Microvascular invasion (MVI), tumor recurrence, and survival were recorded for all patients. A total of 56.2 ± 23.8/100,000 cells with high karyoplasmic ratios (HKR cells) were detected in cancer patients, which was higher than the number of HKR cells in the non-cancer group (7.6 ± 2.2/100,000). There was also a difference in HKR cells between liver cancer patients with and without MVI. Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the threshold was 21.8 HKR cells per 100,000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the area under the curve was higher than those of traditional methods (e.g., CD45 and EpCAM staining). These results indicate that the new CTC detection method was more sensitive and reliable than existing methods. Accordingly, it may improve clinical CTC detection.
authors.affiliation: Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Zixin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Weixing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Siqin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Jiaqi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Shuqun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D015996:Survival Rate