fig1

Figure 1. Liquid biopsy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumors release a number of molecules into circulation including tumor cells, cell-free DNA, different circulating RNA classes, proteins and extracellular vesicles including exosomes and microvesicles. Cell-free DNA can be isolated from blood or other body fluids and analyzed to determine genetic and epigenetic changes present in circulation which are reflective of changes occurring in tissues, potentially avoiding the need for invasive tissue sampling. cfDNA: cell free DNA; cfmiRNA: cell free microRNA; CTC: circulating tumor cell; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma