Klin Onkol 2002; 15(4): 130-135.
Abstract: This review summarizes information about the role of the p53 tumor suppressor protein in the process of leukemogenesis. The frequency of mutations within the p53 gene is significantly lower in leukemias and lymphomas than in solid tumors, ranging from 5 % to 20 % of cases according to the type of a disease. p53 mutations are associated with worse prognosis, with the progression of disease to a more severe phase (chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia to blast crisis, myelodysplastic syndrome to acute myeloid leukemia) and with relapse of disease in many cases. In cases when p53 mutation does not occur, other mechanisms of inactivation of p53 protein or its pathway may occur, as well as in some types of solid tumors. Moreover, it has been shown that some fusion proteins expressed as the result of leukemia-specific translocations may affect p53 function.
