TP53 mutations in hematologic malignancies

Abstract

The tumor suppressor p53 plays a crucial role in regulation of cell proliferation and maintaining integrity of the genome in human tissue. TP53 mutations are found in about 50% of solid tumors; however, hematological malignancies present a lower incidence of alteration in this gene. Within this group of patients, mutations of TP53 and 17p deletion are associated with poor prognosis and resistance to standard chemotherapy. During the past few years, treatment of patients with TP53 aberrations has become a major challenge of modern hematology. Currently, there are ongoing clinical trials on drugs that can affect directly p53 activity or cause activation of other mechanisms, which could convert bad prognosis of patients with TP53 aberrations. Since TP53 mutations carry prognostic significance in CLL and are relevant in choosing the treatment for CLL patients, ERIC (European Research Initiative for CLL) made an attempt to standardize assessment of TP53 mutations.