ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression and relationship between Phosphatase and tension homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and Alpha fetoprotein(AFP) in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods PTEN and AFP expression was examined by immunohistochemical method. Results PTEN expression was significantly weaker in patients with tumor less than 5.0 cm and patients with CLIP score≥1 (P<0.05). The expression of PTEN and AFP was negatively correlated ( Rs=-0.422, P=0.043), serum AFP and tissue expression of AFP was positively correlated (Rs=0.380, P=0.042), but for individual expression was not consistent. Conclusions PTEN and AFP is respectively negative and positive adjustment factor of PI3K/AKT pathway. Tissue expression of AFP may be more significant, and may become the new targets for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.