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Updated: Jul 6, 2025

Radiation Treatment of Organotypic Cultures from Submandibular and Parotid Salivary Glands Models Key In Vivo Characteristics
Published on: May 17, 2019
PTEN Deregulation Mechanisms in Salivary Gland Carcinomas
Vasileios Papanikolaou1, Aristeidis Chrysovergis1, Maria Adamopoulou2
1First Department of Otolaryngology, Hippocration Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Among the tumour suppressor genes that affect critically cell functions and homeostasis, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN- gene locus: 10q21) regulates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. PTEN is deleted, mutated or epigenetically hyper-methylated in a variety of human solid malignancies. Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) belong to the head and neck carcinomas (HNCs) super category of solid malignancies. Histo-pathologically, they demonstrate a significant diversity due to a variety of distinct and mixed subtypes. Genetically, they are characterized by a broad spectrum of gene and chromosomal imbalances. Referring specifically to suppressor genes, PTEN deregulation plays a critical role in signaling transduction in the corresponding SGC pre- and malignant epithelia modifying the response rates to potential targeted therapeutic strategies. In the current review, we explored the role of PTEN deregulation mechanisms that are involved in the onset and progression of SGCs.
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