Combining expression of GPC3 in tumors and CD16 on NK cells from peripheral blood to identify patients responding to codrituzumab
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Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Expansion, Purification, and Functional Assessment of Human Peripheral Blood NK Cells
Published on: February 2, 2011
Gong Chen1, Ya-Chi Chen1, Bernhard Reis2
1Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center New York, New York, NY, USA.
Background:
Codrituzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting an oncofetal protein glypican-3 (GPC3) expressed on cell surface of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and inhibits tumor growth in preclinical studies. Based on this mechanism, tumor GPC3 expression and CD16 expression on NK cells, which are the effector cells of ADCC, were investigated to correlate with codrituzumab's clinical efficacy in patients with advanced HCC.
Results:
Joint analyses of the two biomarkers revealed that both high levels of GPC3 and CD16 were required for patients to benefit from codrituzumab; lack of either one of them would lead to a loss of the therapeutic effect.
Conclusions:
These results suggest the combination of tumor GPC3 expression and CD16 expression on NK cells from peripheral blood at baseline as a composite biomarker to select HCC patients for codrituzumab.
Impact:
The conclusion warrants a future study in an HCC population with both high GPC3 expression and high levels of CD16 at baseline to establish codrituzumab's therapeutic benefit in HCC.
Methods:
Data from a phase II clinical trial of codrituzumab were used for the analyses. GPC3 expression in baseline tumor biopsies was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, and baseline CD16 expression on NK cells were quantified by peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping. According to high or low expression of GPC3 and CD16, different patient subgroups were formed; for each subgroup, overall survival of patients having high codrituzumab exposure was compared to that of patients receiving placebo.
Insights
Codrituzumab efficacy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires both high tumor glypican-3 (GPC3) and high CD16 on NK cells. Lacking either biomarker negates therapeutic benefit, suggesting a composite biomarker approach.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Codrituzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting glypican-3 (GPC3) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
- It induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models.
- The study investigated tumor GPC3 and NK cell CD16 expression as potential biomarkers for codrituzumab efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate tumor GPC3 expression and NK cell CD16 expression with codrituzumab's clinical efficacy in advanced HCC patients.
- To identify a composite biomarker for selecting patients who may benefit from codrituzumab treatment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from a phase II clinical trial of codrituzumab.
- Quantification of GPC3 expression in tumor biopsies via immunohistochemistry (IHC).
- Assessment of CD16 expression on NK cells using peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping.
Main Results:
- Joint analysis revealed that high GPC3 expression and high CD16 expression were both necessary for patients to benefit from codrituzumab.
- The absence of either high GPC3 or high CD16 expression resulted in a loss of therapeutic effect.
Conclusions:
- The combination of high tumor GPC3 expression and high baseline CD16 expression on NK cells serves as a composite biomarker for selecting HCC patients for codrituzumab therapy.
- Future studies are warranted in HCC patients with both high GPC3 and high CD16 to confirm codrituzumab's therapeutic benefit.
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