Studying a Tumor Marker for Testicular Cancer, Skin Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, and Pancreatic Cancer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Studying samples of tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. PURPOSE: This research study is evaluating a tumor marker for testicular cancer, skin cancer, small intestine cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: To identify TAB3 transcript/protein as a molecular marker of cancer, specifically testicular, skin, small intestine, and pancreatic cancer. To characterize TAB3 and its signaling networks that are involved in tumorigenesis. OUTLINE: Tumor tissue samples from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks are analyzed for TAB3 transcript and protein expression using in situ hybridization and immunostaining with TAB3 cRNA probe and antibody. Antibodies against the proteins involved in the NFkB signaling pathway (e.g., p65, TAK1, MyD88, and Akt) are used in the immunostaining assays.

Official Title
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The Role of TAB3 Protein in Tumorigenesis

Conditions
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Non-melanomatous Skin Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Small Intestine Cancer, Testicular Germ Cell Tumor

Intervention / Treatment
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* Genetic: in situ hybridization
* Genetic: protein expression analysis
* Other: immunologic technique


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Paraffin tissue blocks from surgical pathology cancer cases, specifically testicular, skin, small intestine, and pancreatic cancer, available PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Not specified PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Not specified
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Genetic: in situ hybridization|Tumor tissue samples from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks are analyzed for TAB3 transcript and protein expression using in situ hybridization and immunostaining with TAB3 cRNA probe and antibody. Antibodies against the proteins involved in the NFkB signaling pathway (e.g., p65, TAK1, MyD88, and Akt) are used in the immunostaining assays.|
|Genetic: protein expression analysis|Tumor tissue samples from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks are analyzed for TAB3 transcript and protein expression using in situ hybridization and immunostaining with TAB3 cRNA probe and antibody. Antibodies against the proteins involved in the NFkB signaling pathway (e.g., p65, TAK1, MyD88, and Akt) are used in the immunostaining assays.|
|Other: immunologic technique|Tumor tissue samples from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks are analyzed for TAB3 transcript and protein expression using in situ hybridization and immunostaining with TAB3 cRNA probe and antibody. Antibodies against the proteins involved in the NFkB signaling pathway (e.g., p65, TAK1, MyD88, and Akt) are used in the immunostaining assays.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Identification of TAB3 transcript/protein as a molecular marker of cancer |  | end of study | 
| Characterization of TAB3 and its signaling networks that are involved in tumorigenesis |  | end of study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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skin cancer, small intestine cancer, pancreatic cancer, malignant testicular germ cell tumor, testicular teratoma