Allelic loss of 10q23, the PTEN tumour suppressor gene locus, in Barrett'soesophagus-associated adenocarcinoma

PTEN is a putative tumour suppressor gene located on chromosome band 10q23. Mutations in PTEN have been identified in numerous human malignancies, inc luding cancers of the brain, endometrium ovary, and prostate. In this study , we screened 80 Barrett's oesophagus-associated adenocarcinomas (BOAd) for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 10q23, using the microsatellite markers D1 0S541, D105219, and D10S551. Tumours demonstrating LOH were then screened f or the presence or absence of PTEN mutations. LOH at one or more loci was i dentified in 17/80 (21%) cases. In none of these cases did we detect mutati ons in PTEN. The presence of LOH did not correlate with patient age, tumour stage, degree of differentiation, presence of perineural or vascular invas ion, or overall survival. We conclude that LOH at chromosome 10q23 is uncom mon in BOAd, is not associated with mutations in the PTEN tumour suppressor gene, and does not correlate with the clinical or pathologic features of t hese tumours. It is possible that PTEN is inactivated through other mechani sms in BOAd. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com.