Research Status and Progress on the Relationship between GPC3 and Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Glypican 3 (GPC3) is a heparan sulfate proteoglycan whose gene is located on chromosome Xq26. GPC3 has different expres-sion patterns in different cancer types, and its role remains controversial. GPC3 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, embryonic tumors, and hepatoblastoma but is under-expressed in mesothelioma, ovarian, and breast cancer. Re-ports of GPC3 in lung cancer remain limited and superficial. GPC3 expression is significantly higher in LUSC (lung squamous cell carcinoma) than in lung adenocarcinoma. GPC3 overexpression can accelerate the growth of lung squamous cells and the occurrence of LUSC, highlighting its role in LUSC progression. Owing to the expression of GPC3 in LUSC tissues, it has been tested as an immunotherapeutic (including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-GPC3 T cells), and clinical trials targeting GPC3 are ongoing. This article reviews the relationship between GPC3 and LUSC and recent clinical trials targeting GPC3 to provide a theoretical basis and reference for follow-up research.