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Deregulation of PTEN Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Tissue Microarray Digital Analysis
Nicholas S Mastronikolis1, Evangelos Tsiambas2, Theodoros A Papadas1
1ENT Department, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
Anticancer Research
|October 7, 2017
Summary
Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expression is common in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC). Reduced PTEN levels correlate with tumor dedifferentiation and specific laryngeal anatomical regions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor gene located at 10q23.3.
- PTEN functions as a negative regulator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
- Alterations in PTEN (deletion, mutation, hyper-methylation) are observed in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PTEN protein expression patterns in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC).
Main Methods:
- Tissue microarray technology was used for 50 primary LSCC samples.
- Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were employed to evaluate PTEN protein levels.
Main Results:
- Abnormal PTEN protein expression (low to negative staining) was found in 56% (28/50) of LSCC samples.
- PTEN expression showed a significant association with the anatomical region of the tumor (p=0.039).
- A borderline correlation was observed between PTEN expression and tumor differentiation grade (p=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Aberrant PTEN expression in LSCC appears to influence tumor biological behavior.
- Loss of PTEN expression correlates with tumor dedifferentiation and is more frequent in specific laryngeal regions (glottis, supraglottis).
- Well-differentiated LSCCs exhibit moderate to high PTEN protein levels, indicating normal gene function.
