GPC-3 and AXL are essential factors and therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the expression of Glypican-3(GPC-3) and AXL in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Methods

A total of 140 patients diagnosed with HCC were included in this study. All patients had undergone radical surgery and had complete clinical information. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of HCC from these patients were collected, and the expression levels of GPC-3 and AXL were detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis showed that GPC-3 and AXL were diffusely expressed in HCCs. The positive expression rate of GPC-3 was 77.1% (108/140) and that of AXL was 85.7% (120/140). Additionally, the proportion of cases with positive expression for either GPC-3 or AXL is 93.6%.

Conclusions

The findings of this study confirm that both GPC-3 and AXL are highly expressed in HCCs tissues, and the high co-expression rate supports the development of dual-target chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy for HCC treatment.

Keywords

Hepatocellular Carcinoma / Glypican-3 / AXL / Therapeutic targets

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Funding

Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(23DZ2291300)

Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology(3502Z20224012)

National Key R&D Program of China(2023YFC2306401)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)