PIK3CA and PTEN Genes Expressions in Breast Cancer

Nabil Hadi Alowiri1, Shaden Muawia Hanafy1, Reham Abdel Haleem2

  • 1Department of Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt.

Insights

This study found that both phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and phosphatase and tensin-homolog (PTEN) mRNA expressions were significantly elevated in breast cancer tissues compared to normal tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is crucial in breast cancer development.
  • PIK3CA acts as an activator, while PTEN functions as an inhibitor within the PI3K pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate and compare the mRNA expressions of PIK3CA and PTEN in breast carcinoma versus adjacent normal breast tissue.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) was employed to measure PIK3CA and PTEN mRNA levels.
  • The study included fifty female patients diagnosed with breast carcinoma.

Main Results:

  • PIK3CA mRNA expression was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues (P<0.001).
  • PTEN mRNA expression was also significantly increased in breast carcinoma tissues (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Both PIK3CA and PTEN mRNA expressions are upregulated in breast cancer tissue relative to normal breast tissue.

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