Activation of the serine/theronine protein kinase Akt in enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Akt is a regulator of cell proliferation, tumorigenesis and apoptosis. This study evaluated the incidence of Akt activation in a subset of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and its correlation to clinical pathological parameters.

Materials And Methods: A subset of 46 samples from patients with enteropancreatic NETs (26 male and 20 female) were selected for evaluation. The tissue slides were stained with a mouse monoclonal antiphospho-Akt antibody using the avidin-biotin-complex method.

Results: The tumors were from the small (n = 18) and large bowel (n = 9) and from the pancreas (n = 16). Activation of Akt was detected in 61% (28/46) of cases. No statistical correlation was found between the p-Akt score and tumor grade (p = 0.72), tumor size (p = 0.72) and the presence of metastases (p = 0.52).

Conclusion: This study shows activation of Akt in a subset of enteropancreatic NET for the first time. This finding suggests a role of p-Akt in NET carcinogenesis.