ABNORMAL EXPRESSIONS OF PTEN AND K-ras IN MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective To investigate the association of abnormal expressions of PTEN and K-ras in the process of malignant transformation of endometriosis. Methods The protein expressions of PTEN and K-ras were detected with immunohistochemistry in 21 cases of endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers(EAOCs),10 of atypical endometriosis(aEMs) and 23 of endometriosis.The role of PTEN and K-ras in malignant transformation of endometriosis was analyzed in combination with the pathological and clinical data of EAOCs. Results The positive rate of PTEN expression in EAOCs was significantly lower than that in endometriosis(P=0.011).The positive rate of K-ras expression in EAOCs was significantly higher than that in aEMs and endometriosis(P=0.002,0.023).The expressions of PTEN and K-ras were significantly associated with the differentiation and clinical stage of EAOCs(P=0.007-0.047),but was not related to patient's age and pathology type(P0.05). Conclusion Reduction of PTEN protein expression might be an early event in malignant transformation of endometriosis,while over-expression of K-ras might be associated with the process of malignant transformation of endometriosis.Both PTEN and K-ras might be involved in malignant transformation of endometriosis.