Ou H, et al. - In this study, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 165 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subjects before radical surgery in order to analyze circulating tumors cells (CTCs) with epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes as a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC patients. Researchers examined the relationship of CTC phenotype with clinicopathological factors and HCC recurrence in patients. Mesenchymal CTCs were significantly associated with high AFP levels, multiple tumors, advanced TNM and BCLC stage, presence of embolus or microembolus, and earlier recurrence. The presence of mesenchymal CTCs presence predicted the shortest relapse-free survival, followed by mixed phenotypic CTCs, and then epithelial CTCs. For HCC patients, CTC phenotype could serve as a prognostic indicator. Findings suggested that CTCs assessment should involve phenotypic identification tailored to characterize cells based on epithelial and mesenchymal markers.