Cancer stem cell marker expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases is not sufficient as single prognostic parameter.

Recent findings suggest that the presence of cancer stem cells could be linked with patients' survival. We profiled suggested cancer stem cell markers in tissue specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma liver metastases. About 1% of cells co-expressed cancer stem cell antigens, but there was no correlation between the amount of CD133(+), CD133(+)/CD44(+) or CD133(+)/CD24(-) cells and the patients' clinical-pathological status or with the cancer stem cell marker-positive cells localization. CD133(+) and CD133(-) fractions of Huh7 cells did not differ in migratory properties. Therefore, presence of markers alone should be taken with caution as single prognostic parameters.