Table 2.

Expression of GPC3 in HCC tissue, quantification of serum-soluble GPC3, and GPC3-specific CTL induction in HCC patients

AgeGenderState of tumor*GPC3 expression†Serum GPC3‡HLA expression§CTL induction∥
HLA-A2 (A*0201)–positive patients
    Pt-A2-180FIIIa++++
    Pt-A2-272MII++++
    Pt-A2-367FIIND+ND+
    Pt-A2-454MI+−++
    Pt-A2-557MIND−ND−
    Pt-A2-666MI−+−−
    Pt-A2-754MIIIa+−+−
    Pt-A2-873MIIND−ND+
    Pt-A2-968FIIIa+−+−
    Pt-A2-1054MII+++−
HLA-A24 (A*2402)-positive patients
    Pt-A24-160MIVa++++
    Pt-A24-257MIVa+++−
    Pt-A24-375FIIIa++++
    Pt-A24-459MIIIaND−ND+
    Pt-A24-552MIVb−−+−
    Pt-A24-665MIND+ND+
    Pt-A24-761MIND−ND+
    Pt-A24-874MIIND−ND−
    Pt-A24-959MIVb−−−−
    Pt-A24-1069MIVa+++−
    Pt-A24-1172MII−−+−
    Pt-A24-1261MIIIa++++

  • Abbreviations: F, female; M, male; ND, not determined.

  • ↵* Tumor-node-metastasis classification.

  • ↵† Positive (+) or negative (−) staining of tumor cells in contrast with peritumor normal tissue as background staining.

  • ↵‡ Serum levels >106 ng/mL were evaluated as positive.

  • ↵§ Immunohistochemical staining of the membrane of tumor cells was evaluated as positive.

  • ∥ Specific lytic activity (≧20%) at E:T ratio = 20 against HepG2 target cells was evaluated as positive by 51Cr release assay.