Cancer-associated circulating large extracellular vesicles in cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims Large extracellular vesicles, specifically AnnexinV + EpCAM + CD147 + tumour-associated microparticles (taMPs), facilitate the detection of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) as well as pancreas carcinoma (PaCa). Here we assess the diagnostic value of taMPs for detection and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Specifically, the aim of this study was to differentiate liver taMPs from other cancer taMPs, such as CRC and NSCLC. Methods Fluorescence-activated cell scanning (FACS) was applied to detect various taMP populations in patients' sera that were associated with the presence of a tumour (AnnexinV + Ep…