Expression of Tumor Suppressor Gene PTEN in Oral Squamous Cell Cancer Using Tissue Microarray Techniques

Objective 　To explore expression of PTEN in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its clinicopathological significance. Methods 　PTEN protein expression in paraffin embedded tissues from 10 cases of normal oral mucosa, 10 cases of oral epithelial hyperplasia, 15 cases of oral leukoplakia and 72 cases of OSCC was analyzed by SP immunohistochemical method and tissue microarray techniques, meanwhile analysed clinical pathological data. Results 　The positive rate of PTEN protein was 72. 2 %(52/72) 、93. 3 %(14/15) 、100 %(10/10) and 100 %(10/10) in OSCC, oral leukoplakia, oral epithelial hyperplasia and normal oral mucosa, there was significant correlation among them( P < 0. 05) . PTEN expression was not obviously correlated with age, different gender, and TNM classification etc ( P > 0. 05), but there was significant correlation with nodal metastases and degree of OSCC ( P < 0. 05) . Conclusion 　Loss of PTEN protein expression may play an important role on the tumorigenesis and development of OSCC, PTEN can be used as a reference marker for judging prognosis of patient s with OSCC.