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Loss of PTEN expression is associated with metastatic disease in patients with endometrial carcinoma

  1. Helga B. Salvesen M.D., Ph.D.1,2,†,*,
  2. Ingunn Stefansson M.D.1,
  3. May Britt Kalvenes Ph.D.1,
  4. Soma Das Ph.D.3,
  5. Lars A. Akslen M.D., Ph.D.1

Article first published online: 15 APR 2002

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.10434

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 94, Issue 8, pages 2185–2191, 15 April 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Salvesen, H. B., Stefansson, I., Kalvenes, M. B., Das, S. and Akslen, L. A. (2002), Loss of PTEN expression is associated with metastatic disease in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Cancer, 94: 2185–2191. doi: 10.1002/cncr.10434

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Pathology, The Gade Institute, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

  2. 2

    Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway

  3. 3

    Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

  1. †

    Fax: 47 55 97 49 68

*Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haukeland University Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 15 APR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 15 APR 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 9 NOV 2001
  4. Manuscript Revised: 16 OCT 2001
  5. Manuscript Received: 31 JUL 2001

Funded by

  • Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening, the Norwegian Cancer Society. Grant Number: D96032/D94070
  • National Institutes of Health. Grant Number: CA81652-01
  • Blix Family Fund
  • Elena and Gustav B. Bull's Legacy

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Keywords:

  • PTEN expression;
  • endometrial carcinoma;
  • histologic type;
  • metastasis;
  • prognosis

In a population-based series of patients with endometrial carcinoma, the loss of PTEN expression was seen in 20% of patients and was associated significantly with metastatic disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene frequently is involved in endometrial carcinoma. Loss of heterozygosity and mutations reportedly are common, although the biologic importance of these changes remain largely unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the pattern of PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry in a large series of patients with endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

A population-based series of 316 patients with endometrial carcinoma who had long and complete follow-up was investigated for PTEN expression and its correlation with clinicopathologic variables, tumor markers, and survival.

RESULTS

PTEN protein expression was mainly cytoplasmic in tumor cells, with no expression seen in 56 of 279 patients (20%) who had evaluable results. A heterogeneous staining pattern was found in 70 tumors (25%). A significant association between the loss of PTEN expression and metastatic disease was identified (P = 0.05). However, PTEN staining did not influence survival significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The loss of PTEN expression is relatively frequent in endometrial carcinoma and is associated significantly with metastatic disease. This indicates that the PTEN system plays an important role in some endometrial carcinomas, but further studies of PTEN protein expression related to various genetic alterations are necessary. Cancer 2002;94:2185–91. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10434

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