TP53 Mutations and Outcomes in Breast Cancer: Reading beyond the Headlines

摘要

TP53is the most frequently mutated gene in breast cancer, but its role in survival is confounded by different studies concluding thatTP53mutations are associated with negative, neutral, or positive outcomes. Closer examination showed that many studies were limited by factors such as imprecise methods to detectTP53mutations and small cohorts that combined patients treated with drugs having very different mechanisms of action. When only studies of patients receiving the same treatment(s) were compared, they tended to agree. These analyses reveal a role forTP53in response to different treatments as complex as its different biological activities. We discuss studies that have assessed the role ofTP53mutations in breast cancer treatment and limitations in interpreting reported results.