Significance of Cortactin Expression in Colorectal Adenocarcinomas

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.