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.