circGPC3 vaccine

The circGPC3 vaccine is an experimental circular RNA (circRNA)-based cancer vaccine designed to target Glypican-3 (GPC3), a tumor-associated antigen frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unlike traditional linear messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, the circular structure of circRNA provides enhanced stability and resistance to exonuclease-mediated degradation, allowing for more sustained antigen production. The vaccine works by inducing the expression of GPC3, which is then processed and presented via the MHC-I pathway to activate adaptive immune responses, specifically involving cDC1 and CD8+ T cells. Preclinical research indicates that the circGPC3 vaccine, particularly when combined with a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist as an adjuvant, can effectively suppress tumor progression and reprogram the tumor microenvironment to overcome immune tolerance in HCC models.

Other names

GPC3-based circular RNA vaccineGPC-3-based circular RNA vaccineGPC 3-based circular RNA vaccinecircular RNA vaccine targeting GPC3