Clinical significance of PTEN and B7-H1 expressions in pancreatic carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the probable correlation between the expressions of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosometen (PTEN) and B7-H1 protein in pancreatic carcinoma and the biological behavior characteristics of tumors. Methods Forty-three patients were recruited who had undergone surgical resection for pancreatic carcinoma between 2002 and 2009. The PTEN and B7-H1 protein expressions in the tissue specimens of these 43 patients and 5 non-pancreatic carcinoma people' s pancreatic tissue specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry ELPS technique, and the clinical and pathological features of these specimens and the follow-up information were analyzed. Results PTEN expressions were significantly lower in pancreatic carcinoma tissues than in non-pancreatic carcinoma people' s pancreatic tissues but B7-H1 expressions were significantly higher ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The expression of PTEN was negatively correlated to that of B7-H1 (r = -0.414 ,P ＜0. 01). PTEN and B7-H1 expressions correlated with the pathological grade and tumor-node-metastasis ( TNM ) stage, peripancreatic invasion, regional lymph node involvement,respectively (P＜0. 05). B7-H1 expressions also significantly correlated with the ages (P＜0. 01). Furthermore, PTEN and B7-H1 expressions showed significant prognostic effects (P＜0.01) and there are correlations existed between combined PTEN/B7-H1 expression and prognostic effects (P ＜0. 05). Conclusion The expression of PTEN and B7-H1 may be significantly correlated to the carcinogenesis,development and prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Key words: Pancreatic cancer; PTEN; B7-H1; Biological behavior characteristics