Definition

A plasmid DNA therapeutic cancer vaccine encoding glypican-3 (GPC3), with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intramuscular administration of GPC3-targeted plasmid DNA vaccine NWRD06 and following electroporation, the plasmids enter the cells, and the cells express GPC3 and elicit a GPC3-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) immune response against tumor cells expressing GPC3. GPC3, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan and a member of the glypican family, is overexpressed on certain tumor cell types while minimally expressed on normal, healthy cells; GPC3 plays an important role in cellular proliferation and differentiation.