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

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.