The expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN in hepatocellular carcinoma

To investigate the expression of PTEN protein in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their surrounding liver tissues as well as to elucidate its clinical significance. 34 HCC cases with their surrounding liver tissues and 4 normal liver tissues which were collected from the second affiliated hospital of jiangxi medical college were stained with PTEN mouse monoclonal antibody by immunohistochemisty (SP method). The PTEN positive staining was found in the cytoplasm, 4 normal liver tissues and adjoining tissues of 34 carcinoma were all positive for PTEN protein. In 34 HCC, 58.8%(20/34) were positive for PTEN protein. There was a significant difference between the pattern of expression of PTEN protein in moderate differentiated carcinoma (77.8% PTEN protein) and poorly differentiated carcinoma(25% PTEN protein). The expression of PTEN protein in HCC was not related to patient's age, sex, size, integral capsule and tumor thrombi, but was significantly associated with differentiation degrees of cancer cells (P0.05). The poorer was differentiation of HCC, the weaker would be the experssion of PTEN protein. The expression of PTEN protein in HCC was significantly associated with differentiation degrees of cancer cells.