Targeting mutant p53: a key player in breast cancer pathogenesis and beyond

Cell Commun Signal. 2024 Oct 10;22(1):484. doi: 10.1186/s12964-024-01863-9.

Abstract

The p53 mutation is the most common genetic mutation associated with human neoplasia. TP53 missense mutations, which frequently arise early in breast cancer, are present in over thirty percent of breast tumors. In breast cancer, p53 mutations are linked to a more aggressive course of the disease and worse overall survival rates. TP53 mutations are mostly seen in triple-negative breast cancer, a very diverse kind of the disease. The majority of TP53 mutations originate in the replacement of individual amino acids within the p53 protein's core domain, giving rise to a variety of variations referred to as "mutant p53s." In addition to gaining carcinogenic qualities through gain-of-function pathways, these mutants lose the typical tumor-suppressive features of p53 to variable degrees. The gain-of-function impact of stabilized mutant p53 causes tumor-specific dependency and resistance to therapy. P53 is a prospective target for cancer therapy because of its tumor-suppressive qualities and the numerous alterations that it experiences in tumors. Phenotypic abnormalities in breast cancer, notably poorly differentiated basal-like tumors are frequently linked to high-grade tumors. By comparing data from cell and animal models with clinical outcomes in breast cancer, this study investigates the molecular mechanisms that convert gene alterations into the pathogenic consequences of mutant p53's tumorigenic activity. The study delves into current and novel treatment approaches aimed at targeting p53 mutations, taking into account the similarities and differences in p53 regulatory mechanisms between mutant and wild-type forms, as well.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Ferroptosis; Gain-of-function; HSP90; Metabolic reprogramming; Mutp53.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53* / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53* / metabolism

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • TP53 protein, human