Skip to main content

PTEN

Meaning

PTEN, or Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog, is a critical tumor suppressor gene that plays a central role in regulating cell proliferation, survival, and metabolism by acting as a negative regulator of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In the hormonal health space, its function is particularly important because this pathway is often hyperactive in hormone-sensitive cancers, such as those of the breast, prostate, and endometrium. A fully functional PTEN protein is essential for preventing uncontrolled cell growth and maintaining cellular homeostasis, thereby protecting against malignant transformation. Loss of PTEN function is a significant clinical marker of increased risk and poor prognosis.