Significance of Cortactin Expression in Colorectal Adenocarcinomas
Condition: Cancer Colon
MeSH terms: Adenocarcinoma
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive malignant epithelial neoplasms affecting
      the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of colorectal carcinoma is obviously increasing in
      developing countries, where the physical inactivity and the consumption of animal fat-rich
      food became more evident. Colorectal tumorigenesis is a multistep process which is initiated
      by adenoma and is terminated by carcinoma, the latter shows variable degrees of tumor
      differentiation and invasiveness. During the adenoma-carcinoma process; a series of genetic
      mutations occur. Detection of these genetic mutations will help in the development of novel
      therapeutic agents, which in turn will improve patients' outcomes. Cortactin (CTTN) is a Src
      kinase substrate, encoded by a gene located on chromosome 11. CTTN binds to and activates Arp
      2/3 and stabilizes the dynamic actin assembly after its formation. So, it become clear that
      CTTN is involved in the formation of the leading-edges cellular protrusions.
    

Detailed description: 
      Colorectal carcinoma is a highly lethal malignant epithelial tumor involving humans. The
      incidence of colorectal carcinoma is steadily increasing in developing countries, this could
      be assigned to low physical activity together with high consumption of animal fat-rich food.
      malignancy of the colon is a multistep process which is initiated by adenoma that proceeds to
      carcinoma, the latter includes a wide variety of tumor phenotypes. During the
      adenoma-carcinoma process; a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations occur. Detection of
      these genetic alterations is of great benefit in the future management of colorectal
      carcinomas. Cortactin (CTTN) is a Src kinase substrate, encoded by a gene located on
      chromosome 11. CTTN anchors the dynamic actin assembly . CTTN is implicated in the formation
      of the leading-edges cellular protrusions.the aim of this study is to evaluate expression of
      CTTN in 50 cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas and their adjacent normal colonic mucosae.
    

Intervention name(s): immunohistochemical staining
Intervention type(s): Genetic
Intervention description(s): sections from colorectal carcinoma will be immunohistochemically stained by anti-Cortactin antobody.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: Fifty, paired formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded tissue blocks from the colorectal carcinomas and adjacent non neoplastic colonic mucosa will be prepared and sectioned. From each block; one section will be stained by Haematoxaline and Eosine to establish diagnosis of colorectal carcinomas and to determine the degree of differentiation and degree of invasion of the underlying colonic tissues. Corresponding sections from each Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks will be immunohistochemically stained by anti- Human Cortactin antibody, to detect any association between cortactin expression and colorectal carcinoma.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: cancer colon; Cortactin; Immnuohistochemistry