Abstract.
The ultimate goal of basic cancer research is to provide a theoretical foundation for rational approaches to improve cancer therapy. Our extensive insight into the biology of the p53 tumour suppressor and the clinical behaviour of tumours harbouring p53 mutations indicates that information concerning p53 will be useful in diagnosis and prognosis, and may ultimately produce new therapeutic strategies. At the same time, efforts to understand the clinical implications of p53 mutations have revealed conceptual and technical limitations in translating basic biology to the clinic. The lessons learned from p53 may lay the groundwork for future efforts to synthesize cancer gene function, cancer genetics and cancer therapy.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wallace-Brodeur, R., Lowe, S. Clinical implications of p53 mutations. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 55, 64–75 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050270
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050270