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World J Hepatol. Apr 27, 2026; 18(4): 115582
Published online Apr 27, 2026. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v18.i4.115582
Published online Apr 27, 2026. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v18.i4.115582
Cell-free DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma: Biology to treatment response
Rishabh Sharma, Satender Pal Singh, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi 110070, India
Garima Bhatia, Gayatri Ramakrishna, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi 110070, India
Co-corresponding authors: Satender Pal Singh and Gayatri Ramakrishna.
Author contributions: Sharma R, Singh SP, and Ramakrishna G developed the conceptual framework; Singh SP provided clinical insights; Sharma R, Singh SP, Bhatia G, and Ramakrishna G drafted, revised, and finalized the manuscript; Singh SP and Ramakrishna G contributed equally to this article, they are the co-corresponding authors of this manuscript; and all authors approved the final version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Satender Pal Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D-1, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India.
Received: October 22, 2025
Revised: November 11, 2025
Accepted: January 20, 2026
Published online: April 27, 2026
Processing time: 183 Days and 5.3 Hours
Revised: November 11, 2025
Accepted: January 20, 2026
Published online: April 27, 2026
Processing time: 183 Days and 5.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: The study evaluated circulating tumor DNA as a potential indicator of treatment response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Quantitative aspects of cell-free DNA, such as concentration and variant allele frequency, were analyzed in conjunction with qualitative genomic and epigenetic features, including copy-number variation and methylation-associated changes, to assess tumor dynamics during therapy. The findings indicate that cell-free DNA profiling captures both quantitative changes and molecular alterations, including genomic and epigenetic variation, that may reflect treatment-related tumor dynamics in hepatocellular carcinoma.