Protocol for PTEN expression by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human breast carcinoma

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2010 Jul;18(4):371-4. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e3181d50bd5.

Abstract

The PI3K/PTEN pathway plays a major role in carcinogenesis. Dysregulation of this pathway occurs frequently in breast cancer, and loss of PTEN expression is emerging as a potentially important mechanism of resistance to the widely used anti-HER2 therapy, trastuzumab. However, assays for loss of PTEN expression have suffered from lack of consistency. Here, we describe an automated and reliable protocol for PTEN protein expression by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue that can be easily incorporated into clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Automation
  • Blotting, Western
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Formaldehyde
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Observer Variation
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase / metabolism*
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Formaldehyde
  • PTEN Phosphohydrolase
  • PTEN protein, human