Our findings revealed a possible involvement of the PTEN-PI3K/Akt-Bad axis in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, which may facilitate the discovery of suitable pathway inhibitors for disease treatment.     ///    "In future investigations, a larger sample size should be used and the role of the other genes involved in the PTEN-PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway should be analyzed. "    ///    " Are mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene associated with endometriosis? Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the 10q23.3 locus, PTEN somatic mutations and changes in the levels and distribution of proteins in the PTEN-PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway are associated with endometriosis. "