Objective    To investigate the roles of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)

insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1)

and insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R) in the tumorigenesis

development

invasion and metastasis

and prognostic value of gastric cancer.     Methods    Immunohistochemical assay was used to detect the expressions of PTEN

IGF-1

and IGF-1R in gastric cancer tissue samples from 74 gastric cancer patients and in normal gastric mucosa of 20 health individuals. All data of these patients were collected including the grading and differentiation of the tumor.     Results    In gastric cancer

expression of PTEN was decreased

and expressions of IGF-1

and IGF-1R were enhanced. The expressions of PTEN

IGF-1 and IGF-1R had correlation with the outcome and biological behavior of gastric cancer. PTEN expression was higher in no lymph node metastasis group than lymph node metastasis group

higher in stage Ⅰ–Ⅱgroup than stage Ⅲ–Ⅳgroup. IGF-1 and IGF-1R expressions were higher in progressive group than early gastric cancer group，higher in poor differentiation group than moderate and well differentiation group

higher in lymph node metastasis group than no lymph node metastasis group

higher in stage Ⅰ–Ⅱgroup than stage Ⅲ–Ⅳgroup. PTEN-negatively-expressed patients had poor prognosis compared with positively-expressed ones; so did those who expressed IGF-1 and IGF-1R.     Conclusion    The changes of PTEN

IGF and IGF-1R play roles in gastric cancer genesis

progression and prognostic evaluation.