In this study we have demonstrated the suitability of two liver-specific biomarkers (ASGR1 and miR-122-5p) for the characterization of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) from liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients as prognostic biomarkers. Here, ASGR1 is linked to laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.