Expression and significance of suppressor gene pten in human gastric cancer tissues

Objective To study the expression of suppressor gene PTEN in gastric cancer tissues and its relationship with tumor biologic characteristics. Methods Using EnVision immunohistochemical methods, we examined the suppressor gene PTEN expression in 116 cases of gastric cancer, 35 cases dysplasia and 56 cases normal gastric mucosa specimens. Results The positive rate of PTEN (53.4 %, 62/116) was lower in gastric cancer tissue than in dysplasia (71.4 %, 25/35) and normal gastric mucosa specimens(100 %, 56/56) (P 0.001). Well and moderately differentiated carcinoma expressed PTEN stood the highest(72.7 %, 32/44), which was higher than signet ring cell carcinoma(29.2 %,7/24)(P 0.001). The expression of PTEN was positively correlated to the infiltration of stomach and lymph node metastasis(P 0.05). Conclusions The abnormal expression of suppressor gene PTEN played an important role in the genesis and development of gastric cancer and could be used as a predictor of malignant potential and prognosis. It was helpful to work out the gene therapeutic regimen of gastric cancer.