Open Access

TP53 mutations in cancer: Molecular features and therapeutic opportunities (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Maria Lina Tornesello
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 24, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5448
  • Article Number: 7
  • Copyright: © Tornesello . This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The tumour suppressor factor p53 plays an essential role in regulating numerous cellular processes, including the cell cycle, DNA repair, apoptosis, autophagy, cell metabolism and immune response. TP53 is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancers. These mutations are primarily non‑synonymous changes that produce mutant p53 proteins characterized by loss of function, a dominant negative effect on p53 tetramerisation and gain of function (GOF). GOF mutations not only disrupt the tumour‑suppressive activities of p53 but also endow the mutant proteins with new oncogenic properties. Recent studies analysing different pathogenic features of mutant p53 in cancer‑derived cell lines have demonstrated that restoring wild‑type p53, rather than removing GOF mutations, reduces cancer cell growth. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies for reactivating wild‑type p53 function in cancer cells may bring a greater benefit than approaches halting mutant p53. This approach could involve the use of small molecules, gene therapy and other methods to re‑establish wild‑type p53 activity. This review describes the complexity of the biological activities of different p53 mutants and summarizes the current therapeutic approaches to restore p53 function.
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January-2025
Volume 55 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Tornesello ML: TP53 mutations in cancer: Molecular features and therapeutic opportunities (Review). Int J Mol Med 55: 7, 2025.
APA
Tornesello, M.L. (2025). TP53 mutations in cancer: Molecular features and therapeutic opportunities (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 55, 7. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5448
MLA
Tornesello, M. L."TP53 mutations in cancer: Molecular features and therapeutic opportunities (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 55.1 (2025): 7.
Chicago
Tornesello, M. L."TP53 mutations in cancer: Molecular features and therapeutic opportunities (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 55, no. 1 (2025): 7. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2024.5448