Targeting Glypican-3 for Liver Cancer Therapy: Clinical Applications and Detection Methods (IMAGE)
Caption
Recent advancements in cancer immunotherapy have highlighted glypican-3 (GPC3) as a prominent target for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, approximately 10% to 30% of HCC patients exhibit low or absent GPC3 expression on the surface of tumor cells, which limits the feasibility of GPC3-targeted therapies. Consequently, it is essential for patients to undergo pre-diagnostic assessments of GPC3 expression in tumor cells to evaluate their suitability for GPC3-directed therapy. Although various methods have been developed to specifically detect GPC3 as a biomarker for treatment and prognosis, the diagnostic approaches currently employed in clinical studies remain relatively limited. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical development of GPC3-targeted therapeutics, clinical trials in GPC3-positive HCC, and current methods for detecting GPC3 expression, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we explore the potential of integrating targeted therapy with various GPC3 detection modalities tailored to different pathological stages. This integration not only provides insights into the selection of effective methods for detecting GPC3 expression but also has the potential to significantly improve the clinical outcomes of patients with liver cancer. By simultaneously assessing the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, this review aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the clinical selection of appropriate GPC3 detection strategies for targeted therapy.
Consequently, assessing GPC3 expression and distribution in HCC patients is essential for targeted treatment. For early-stage patients, various detection methods can be used to evaluate the GPC3 concentration in serum and on cell surfaces, as well as its tissue distribution, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, rapid sampling and diagnosis using sensitive biosensors may reduce patient burden. Subsequently, targeted therapy can be initiated promptly based on GPC3 localization and expression levels to improve disease control rates. In contrast, advanced-stage patients should utilize combined methods, such as serum ELISA or flow cytometry, in combination with imaging methods, to accurately assess GPC3 expression levels and distribution. This approach facilitates the implementation of targeted therapies while maximizing clinical benefits.
Credit
Chuang Wang
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CC BY-NC