MOLECULAR HETEROGENEITY IN PROSTATE-CANCER - CAN TP53 MUTATION UNRAVEL TUMORIGENESIS

While prostate cancer Is the most common malignant visceral neoplasm o f men, Its etiology remains largely unknown and its clinical course un predictable. Molecular genetics of prostate cancer has become a fruitf ul area of investigation and might provide clues to understanding thes e phenomena. Mutation of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene (encoding the p53 protein) has been commonly reported as a critical event in human c arcinogenesis, but recent findings In prostate cancer research call In to question the correlation between TP53 mutation and prognosis for pa tients with this tumor. Whole mount analysis has begun to address the histologic significance of the focal evolution of TP53 mutation in a p re-existing cancer and to reveal its role throughout the process of tu mor progression. This model might also apply to other tumors.