Restoration of Tumor Suppression to Cancer Carrying p53 Mutations

Abstract

Missense mutations of tumor suppressor genes enable cancerous cells generating variable mutant proteins and promote malignant development. These mutant proteins lose the original functions in suppressing tumorous cells but also commit oncogenic activities to tumor progression. Targeting mutants of the p53 tumor suppressor merges a specific approach for cancer treatments. This chapter will highlight the progress from our group and those of others in this filed. We will introduce new concepts and molecular mechanisms underlying the expression of mutant proteins and cancer resistance to conventional treatments. Furthermore, we will introduce the potential agents holding great promises in preclinic studies for cancer treatments.