TP53 status and response to treatment in breast cancers

The p53 wild-type protein plays an important role in cells as is shown by its fine regulation at different levels. Since its discovery, numerous mutations have been described. In breast cancers, p53 is mutated in almost 30% of cases, with a higher frequency in some tumor subtypes. TP53 mutation is reported to be a factor for good prognosis in some studies, while in others it is a factor for poor prognosis. The explanation for these different results could be linked to the fact that the studies were performed on different tumor types and with different therapy regimens.