GPC3

Chr XXLR

glypican 3

Also known as: DGSX, GTR2-2, MXR7, OCI-5, SDYS, SGB, SGBS, SGBS1

This gene encodes a cell surface proteoglycan that regulates multiple signaling pathways including hedgehog, Wnt, and BMP signaling, which are critical for embryonic development and growth control. Mutations cause Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome type 1, characterized by pre- and postnatal overgrowth, distinctive facial features, and increased risk of embryonal tumors including Wilms tumor. The gene shows X-linked recessive inheritance and is highly constrained against loss-of-function mutations.

GeneReviewsOMIMResearchSummary from RefSeq, OMIM, UniProt
LOFmechanismXLRLOEUF 0.162 OMIM phenotypes
Clinical SummaryGPC3
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Gene-Disease Validity (ClinGen)
Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome · XLDefinitive

Definitive — sufficient evidence for diagnostic panels

Population Constraint (gnomAD)
Highly constrained gene — heterozygous loss-of-function variants are very rare in the population (pLI 1.00). One damaged copy is likely sufficient to cause disease.
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ClinVar Variants
57 unique Pathogenic / Likely Pathogenic· 204 VUS of 400 total submissions
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Clinical Trials
12 active or recruiting trials — potential therapeutic options may be available
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GeneReview available — GPC3
Authoritative clinical overview · Recommended first read
Open GeneReview ↗

Population Genetics & Constraint

gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance

LoF intolerant — likely haploinsufficient
LoF Constraint
0.16LOEUF
pLI 0.998
Z-score 3.98
OE 0.00 (0.000.16)
Highly constrained

Highly LoF-intolerant (top ~10% of genes)

Missense Constraint
1.45Z-score
OE missense 0.73 (0.640.83)
161 obs / 221.9 exp
Tolerant

Mild missense constraint

Observed / Expected Ratios
LoF OE0.00 (0.000.16)
00.351.4
Missense OE0.73 (0.640.83)
00.61.4
Synonymous OE0.99
01.21.6
LoF obs/exp: 0 / 18.4Missense obs/exp: 161 / 221.9Syn Z: 0.04

ClinVar Variant Classifications

400 submitted variants in ClinVar

Classification Summary

Pathogenic44
Likely Pathogenic13
VUS204
Likely Benign121
Benign2
Conflicting3
44
Pathogenic
13
Likely Pathogenic
204
VUS
121
Likely Benign
2
Benign
3
Conflicting

Curated Variants Distribution

Classified variants from ClinVar · 5 ACMG categories

ClassificationLoFMissense + InframeNon-codingSynonymousTotal
Pathogenic
12
0
32
0
44
Likely Pathogenic
10
1
2
0
13
VUS
2
180
19
3
204
Likely Benign
1
1
29
90
121
Benign
0
0
1
1
2
Conflicting
3
Total251828394387

LoF = frameshift, stop gained/lost, canonical splice · Counts from ClinVar esearch · Updated hourly

View in ClinVar →

Protein Context — Lollipop Plot

GPC3 · protein map & ClinVar variants

Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.

3D Protein StructureAlphaFold

Clinical Trials

Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

A Phase I Study of ERY974 in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT05022927Phase PHASE1Chugai PharmaceuticalStarted 2021-06-01
ERY974TocilicumabAtezolizumab
Liver CancerLung CancerBreast Cancer

Engineered TILs/CAR-TILs to Treat Advanced Solid Tumors

RECRUITING
NCT04842812Phase PHASE1Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityStarted 2021-01-01
TILs and CAR-TILs targeting HER2, Mesothelin, PSCA, MUC1, Lewis-Y, GPC3, AXL, EGFR, Claudin18.2/6, ROR1, GD1, or B7-H3
Hepatocellular CarcinomaImmunotherapyCAR

GPC3-CAR-T Cells for Immunotherapy of Cancer With GPC3 Expression

RECRUITING
NCT03198546Phase PHASE1Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityStarted 2017-07-01
GPC3 and/or TGFβ targeting CAR-T cells
Solid Tumor (Excluding CNS)Hepatocellular CarcinomaLiver Cell Carcinoma

Cytokine Armored GPC3 Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressing T-cells in Adults With Solid Tumors

NOT YET RECRUITING
NCT07224568Phase PHASE1Seattle Children's HospitalStarted 2026-04-01
SC-CAR.GPC3xIL15.21 CAR T cells
Liver CancerRhabdomyosarcomaMalignant Rhabdoid Tumor

Interleukin-15 and -21 Armored Glypican-3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in T Cells for Pediatric Solid Tumors

RECRUITING
NCT04715191Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2024-05-24
CARE T cells
Liver Cell CarcinomaSolid TumorWilms Tumor

Interleukin-15 Armored Glypican 3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in Autologous T Cells for Solid Tumors

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT05103631Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2021-06-17
CATCH T cells
Hepatocellular CarcinomaHepatocellular CancerMetastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

GPC3 Targeted CAR-T Cell Therapy in Advanced GPC3 Expressing Solid Tumor Malignancies

RECRUITING
NCT05003895Phase PHASE1National Cancer Institute (NCI)Started 2021-12-08
CyclophosphamideCAR-T cellFludarabine
Liver Cancer

Glypican 3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in T Cells for Patients With Pediatric Solid Tumors (GAP)

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT02932956Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2018-12-17
GAP T cellsCytoxanFludara
Liver CancerRhabdomyosarcomaMalignant Rhabdoid Tumor

Interleukin-15 Armored Glypican 3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Expressed in T Cells for Pediatric Solid Tumors

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
NCT04377932Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2021-08-08
AGAR T cells
Solid Tumor (Excluding CNS)Liver Cell CarcinomaMalignant Rhabdoid Tumor

Immunotherapy for Solid Tumor Malignancies in Pediatrics Using Interleukin-15 and -21 Armored Glypican-3-specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells

RECRUITING
NCT07148050Phase PHASE1Seattle Children's HospitalStarted 2025-12-22
SC-CAR.GPC3xIL15.21 CAR T cells
Glioblastoma Multiforme of Brain

GPC-3 CAR T CELLS FOR Recurrent GPC-3 Positive Glioblastoma

RECRUITING
NCT06815432Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2025-10-10
15.GPC3-CAR T cells
HepatoblastomaHepatocellular CarcinomaWilms Tumor

Immunotherapy For Adults With GPC3-Positive Solid Tumors Using IL-15 and IL-21 Armored GPC3-CAR T Cells

RECRUITING
NCT06198296Phase PHASE1Baylor College of MedicineStarted 2025-06-10
21.15.GPC3-CAR T cells
Clinical Literature
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