THE P53 TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR GENE IN BREAST-CANCER

Alterations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene are the most common genet ic changes found so far in breast cancer, suggesting that the gene pla ys a central role in the development of the disease. p53 functions as a negative regulator of cell growth, and alterations in the gene lead to loss of this negative growth regulation and more rapid cell prolife ration. A number of independent groups using different methods of dete ction have shown that p53 alterations are associated with more aggress ive tumor biologic factors and a poorer prognosis in breast cancer pat ients. Because of its possible role in the regulation of apoptosis and response to DNA damage, p53 status could also be a predictive marker for response to hormonal or chemotherapy