Immunohistochemical staining for Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) does not have either an acceptable standard protocol or scoring concordance between pathologists. Evaluation of PTEN mRNA with a unique and verified sequence probe may offer a realistic alternative providing a robust and reproducible protocol. In this study we have evaluated an in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol for PTEN mRNA using RNAscope™ technology and compared it with a standard protocol for PTEN immunohistochemistry (IHC). mRNA detection of PTEN or other biomarkers, for which optimal or standardized immunohistochemical techniques are not available, represents a means by which heterogeneity of expression within focal regions of tumour can be explored with more confidence.
1. How the PTEN expression profile in various cancer types can be used as a prognostic marker.
2. How the detection of PTEN mRNA expression in tissue sections preserving the morphological context and therefore the heterogeneity of expression within focal regions of various tumour types, can be explored.
3. Why RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) is a good alternative for the detection of biomarkers, such as PTEN, when there is no optimal or standardized IHC techniques available.
