Stains & molecular markers
Glypican 3 (GPC3)
Copyright: 2003-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: GPC3
Glypican 3 (GPC3)
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Topic Completed: 1 November 2011
Minor changes: 9 December 2020
Copyright: 2003-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: GPC3
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Interpretation | Uses by pathologists | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive staining - not malignant | Positive staining - tumorsCite this page: Pernick N. Glypican 3. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsglypican3.html. Accessed January 22nd, 2021.
Definition / general
- Heparan sulfate proteoglycan; mutated in Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (National Institutes of Health)
Interpretation
- Cytoplasmic and membranous staining
Uses by pathologists
- Distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma (usually GPC3+) from nonmalignant liver (GPC3-) as part of a panel (Am J Clin Pathol 2008;130:219, Am J Surg Pathol 2008;32:433) but cirrhotic nodules may show focal strong staining (Mod Pathol 2008;21:1011)
- Distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from other primary and metastatic hepatic lesions by FNA (Mod Pathol 2008;21:626)
- Distinguish ovarian yolk sac (GPC3+) from embryonal carcinoma (GCP3-) as part of a panel (Hum Pathol 2010;41:716)
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
PSTT and other uterine / cervical lesions
Figs e / f: fibrolamellar and hepatocellular carcinoma
Positive staining - not malignant
- Endometrium-gestational; hepatitis C with high grade activity (> 90%, Hum Pathol 2008;39:209)
Positive staining - tumors
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (40 - 65%), fibrolamellar carcinoma (Mod Pathol 2010;23:1180), hepatoblastoma (> 90%, Hum Pathol 2008;39:224); also undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma and mesenchymal hamartoma of liver (Hum Pathol 2012;43:695)
- Lung-squamous cell carcinoma (54%), testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (52%), liposarcoma (52%, Am J Clin Pathol 2008;129:899)
- Ovarian (> 90%) and extragonadal (> 90%) yolk sac tumors (may be focal, Am J Surg Pathol 2009;33:1529), ovarian choriocarcinoma, teratomas (variable, immature > mature, Am J Clin Pathol 2008;130:224), ovarian clear cell carcinoma (Mod Pathol 2009;22:824), placental site trophoblastic tumor (Diagn Pathol 2010;5:64)
- Rhabdomyosarcomas (35%) but not other sarcomas (J Clin Pathol 2011;64:587)
