Alterations of theTP53Gene in Gastric and Esophageal Carcinogenesis

Abstract

TP53genes is one of more important tumor suppressor gene, which acts as a potent transcription factor with fundamental role in the maintenance of genetic stability. The development of esophageal and gastric cancers is a multistep process resulting in successive accumulation of genetic alterations that culminates in the malignant transformation. Thus, this study highlights the participation of the main genetic alterations of theTP53gene in esophageal and gastric carcinogenesis. Among these changes, high frequency ofTP53mutations, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), overexpression of the p53 protein, and consequently loss of p53 function, which would be early events in esophageal and gastric cancers, as well as an important biomarker of the prognosis and treatment response. Furthermore, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) ofTP53have been implicated in the development and prognosis of several cancers, mainlyTP53codon 72 polymorphism whose role has been extensively studied in relation to susceptibility for esophageal and gastric cancer development.