Expression of PTEN in ovarian epithelial tumors and its relation to tumor behavior and growth.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in ovarian epithelial tumors and its correlation with tumor growth and clinicopathologic features in ovarian adenocarcinomas.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining with anti-PTEN antibody was performed in 54 adenocarcinomas and 23 borderline tumors of the ovary. The apoptotic cells were visualized by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, and proliferative cells were visualized by staining with Ki-67 antibody.


RESULTS
Reduced PTEN expression was significantly higher among the adenocarcinomas than the borderline tumors (p < 0.001). Reduced PTEN expression in adenocarcinomas did not correlate with International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) stage. The Ki-67 index (KI) and apoptotic index were significantly higher in adenocarcinomas as compared with borderline tumors (p < 0.001). Tumors with reduced PTEN expression in ovarian adenocarcinomas had a significantly higher KI than those with normal PTEN expression (p < 0.01). By univariate analysis, FIGO stage and histologic type correlated with survival. However, FIGO stage was the only independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that alteration of the PTEN gene may be associated with malignant transformation of ovarian epithelial tumors. The PTEN gene seems to be a negative regulator of cell proliferation in ovarian adenocarcinomas.
Lee
Ji Shin
JS
Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Research Institute of Medical Science, Gwangju, Republic of Korea. jshinlee@hanmail.net
Choi
Yoo Duk
YD
Choi
Chan
C
Lee
Min Cheol
MC
Park
Chang Soo
CS
Min
Kyung Whan
KW
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D051059:PTEN Phosphohydrolase; C494929:PTEN protein, human