CD44s signals the acquisition of the mesenchymal phenotype required for anchorage-independent cell survival in hepatocellular carcinoma

摘要

Background:Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have an important role in metastatic processes, but details of their basic characteristics remain elusive. We hypothesised that CD44-expressing CTCs show a mesenchymal phenotype and high potential for survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).