WHAT CAUSES P53 MUTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG-CANCER

We studied the association between occurrence of p53 mutations and bot h smoking history and family history of cancer (FH) in 109 lung cancer patients using the logistic regression model. A dose-response relatio nship between smoking defined as pack-years smoked (PY) and p53 mutati ons was clearly demonstrated [Odds ratio (OR) for PY 30-59: 1.92 (0.55 -7.94); OR for PY greater than or equal to 60: 4.21 (1.09-19.0); trend P=0.04], but no association between p53 mutations and FH was obtained in male patients. In females, smoking habit [OR: 3.23 (0.48-25.4)] an d FH [OR: 4.17 (0.84-25.0)] might both be associated with p53 mutation s.