Role of IMP3 Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma: An Immunohistochemical Study

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common malignancy worldwide. In Egypt, the relative frequency of CRC is about 9-12% with high male predominance 3:1. The high mortality rates associated with CRC is reflective of several factors including: the lack of apparent symptoms in the early stages and the absence of cancer prevention strategies in developing countries. Insulin-like growth factor II m-RNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is a member of the IMP family which plays a key role in the transfer and stabilization of mRNA, cell growth, and migration during embryogenesis. IMP3 has gained considerable interest as a cancer-associated protein. Previous studies strongly suggest that IMP3 may represent a valuable prognostic marker in human cancer. Its overexpression has been reported in a variety of human types of cancer, including lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer