PTK2 and EIF3S3 genes may be amplification targets at 8q23-q24 and are associated with large hepatocellular carcinomas. Amplification of the EIF3S3 gene is common in late-stage prostate cancer suggesting that it may be functionally involved in the progression of the disease. A recent study shows that eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit 3 does not seem to be over-represented independent of c-myc in prostate cancer [2][3][4].

In mammals, Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 is the largest scaffolding initiation factor, made up of 13 subunits (a-m). It is rough ~750 kDa and it controls the assembly of40S ribosomal subunit on mRNA that has a 5' cap or an IRES (Internal Ribosomal Entry Site). Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 uses the eIF4F complex or IRES from viruses to position the mRNA strand near the exit site of the 40S ribosome subunit, thus promoting the assembly of the pre-initiation complex [1].