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PTEN Alterations and Their Role in Cancer Management: Are We Making Headway on Precision Medicine?

Nicola Fusco1,2, Elham Sajjadi2, Konstantinos Venetis1,2,3

  • 1Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Genes
|July 2, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Alterations in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) are common in solid tumors and impact cell growth and survival. Current PTEN testing guidelines are lacking, hindering clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Alterations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene are prevalent in solid tumors, driving tumorigenesis and progression.
  • PTEN is a critical regulator of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, influencing cell growth, proliferation, and survival.
  • PTEN also plays a role in DNA damage response and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of biological and genetic PTEN alterations in common solid tumors.
  • To explore the clinical applications of PTEN alterations as biomarkers.
  • To propose tailored clinical management strategies for cancer patients based on PTEN status.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of PTEN alterations in solid tumors.
  • Analysis of current clinical practice and guidelines regarding PTEN testing.
  • Evaluation of PTEN's role in risk assessment, diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment.

Main Results:

  • PTEN alterations are frequent and actionable, yet their utility as biomarkers is debated.
  • A significant lack of validated guidelines for PTEN testing exists.
  • PTEN status has implications for cell growth, DNA repair, and immune response within tumors.

Conclusions:

  • PTEN alterations are crucial in cancer development and progression across various solid tumors.
  • Standardized PTEN testing and clear clinical guidelines are needed for effective patient management.
  • Understanding PTEN alterations can facilitate personalized cancer care, from risk assessment to treatment selection.
Keywords:
PI3K/AktPTENbiomarkercancerprecision medicinesolid tumorstumor immune microenvironmenttumor suppressor

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