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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Molecular heterogeneity in prostate cancer: can TP53 mutation unravel tumorigenesis?
P Roy-Burman1, J Zheng, G J Miller
1Dept of Pathology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA. royburma@zygote.hsc.usc.edu
Abstract:
While prostate cancer is the most common malignant visceral neoplasm of men, its etiology remains largely unknown and its clinical course unpredictable. Molecular genetics of prostate cancer has become a fruitful area of investigation and might provide clues to understanding these phenomena. Mutation of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene (encoding the p53 protein) has been commonly reported as a critical event in human carcinogenesis, but recent findings in prostate cancer research call into question the correlation between TP53 mutation and prognosis for patients with this tumor. Whole-mount analysis has begun to address the histologic significance of the focal evolution of TP53 mutation in a pre-existing cancer and to reveal its role throughout the process of tumor progression. This model might also apply to other tumors.
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