Normal P53 Gene Hinders Breast Cancer Chemotherapy

Heidihill

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120611133754.htm

A surprise finding on the effect of non-mutated p53 gene on chemo with Adriamycin (quote below).

The scientists first examined the response to doxorubicin in mice with mammary tumors and the role of p53 in the chemotherapy process. When they analyzed the results, they found the mice that responded poorly to treatment had normal p53 genes, while the mice that responded best had mutated p53 genes.

Using human breast tumor cell lines with normal p53, the researchers then replicated the mouse experiment with the same results. When the cells were treated with doxorubicin, which is known commercially as Adriamycin®, they basically stopped. When the p53 gene was removed, the cells continued through the cell cycle and eventual destruction.