PTEN and neoplasm: Of note, PTEN itself has been the focus of extensive research efforts, since it is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in human cancer (Chalhoub and Baker, 2009) and in hamartoma-related syndromes (Hollander et al., 2011); PTEN dysfunction is also linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) (Varga et al., 2009).