Glypican 3 (GLP3)

Glypican‑3 (GPC3) is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan that shows cytoplasmic or membranous staining on IHC and is minimally expressed in normal adult tissues but highly expressed in embryonic tissues. It is primarily used as part of an IHC panel to help distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from benign hepatic lesions and metastatic tumours, and it is also useful for identifying yolk sac tumour components in germ cell tumours. As an oncofetal protein, GPC3 supports the diagnosis of hepatoid carcinomas and assists in differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma from metastatic carcinoma (1-2).

Recommended Controls

Criteria for acceptable staining is a membranous and cytoplasmic staining pattern. Recommended control to include placenta, appendix, liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. Placenta will show strong cytoplasmic staining in the syncytiotrophoblasts with weak staining in the stromal and endothelial cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma will show strongly positive staining reaction in the tumour cells while the normal liver will be negative.

Expected staining pattern

Normal liver

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Disclaimer

These methods are intended as a guide only. Laboratories that wish to implement these methods should perform internal validation/verification prior to use. The RCPAQAP does not make any claim or warranty for the accuracy or performance of these methods.