Immunohistochemical Evaluation of the Relationship of Pten Gene Expression and Pathological Parameters in Patients With Breast Cancer



Golmohammadi R¹ ; Mojadadi MS² ; Pejhan A³ ; Nikbakhtdastjerdi M⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2014

Abstract

Background: Genetic damages and epigenetic factors are important in invasive breast cancer. PTEN gene is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein can be traced by immunohistochemistry methods. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of PTEN gene expression and pathological parameters in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This descriptive analytical research was conducted on 100 cases with breast cancer admitted to a hospital in Sabzevar, Iran, during 2010-13. Samples were fixed in formalin; tissue processing and taking sections was done. Then, the slides were stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Malignancy was diagnosed by two pathologists blindly. Expression of PTEN gene was evaluated after antigen retrieval with primary specific rabbit monoclonal PTEN antibody using by immunohistochemical method. Photos were taken by light microscope. Data were analyzed using chisquare and Fisher's exact tests. Findings: In 70 (70%) specimens, PTEN protein was detected. Protein stability was observed in total normal samples. No significant relationship was observed between the stage and grade of tumor, but there was significant relationship between PTEN gene expression and tumor grade and stage (P < 0.05). Over-expression of PTEN gene was lower in invasive ductal carcinoma compared to non-invasive breast cancers. Conclusion: Our study showed that PTEN gene expression is low in patients with high-grade breast tumors. Therefore, we may conclude that low expression of PTEN gene is accompanied with bad prognosis in patients with breast cancer.