The relationgship of suppressor gene PTEN and esophageal carcinoma

Objective:PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene which was identified in recent years.It encodes a dual specific protein-phospholipic phosphatase involved in a variety of signal transduction pathways.To investigate the new progresses in tumor suppressor gene PTEN and esophageal carcinoma(EC) will do a great help to the therapy of esophageal carcinoma.Methods:The international reseach literatures about PTEN and EC in recent 10 years were reviewed.Results:The PTEN gene mutations in EC were not often founded,but the reduction of the expression of the PTEN protein was commonly detected,and the expression of PTEN protein was closely related with the degree of the differentiation of carcinoma and the prognosis of tumors.Conclusion:The decreased expression of PTEN may play an important role in the development,progression and tumor angiogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.