PTEN is a dual protein/lipid phosphatase, which can inhibit the progression of cancers through modulating PI3K/AKT pathway.30, 31, 32, 33 In NSCLC, the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway is associated with poor prognosis, which may be attributed to decreased PTEN level.34 The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.