Abstract
Simple SummaryOvarian high-grade serous cancer (HGSC), the most common and the deadliest subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer, is characterized by frequent mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene, encoding for the p53 protein in nearly 100% of cases. This makes p53 the focus of many studies trying to understand its role in HGSC. The aim of our review paper is to provide updates on the latest findings related to the role of mutant p53 in HGSC. This includes the clinical outcomes of TP53 mutations in HGSC, upstream regulators and downstream effectors of p53, its function in the earliest stages of HGSC development and in the interplay between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. We summarize with the likelihood of p53 mutants to serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and as targets for therapy in HGSC.Mutations in tumor suppressor gene TP53, encoding for the p53 protein, are the most ubiquitous genetic variation in human ovarian HGSC, the most prevalent and lethal histologic subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The majority of TP53 mutations are missense mutations, leading to loss of tumor suppressive function of p53 and gain of new oncogenic functions. This review presents the clinical relevance of TP53 mutations in HGSC, elaborating on several recently identified upstream regulators of mutant p53 that control its expression and downstream target genes that mediate its roles in the disease. TP53 mutations are the earliest genetic alterations during HGSC pathogenesis, and we summarize current information related to p53 function in the pathogenesis of HGSC. The role of p53 is cell autonomous, and in the interaction between cancer cells and its microenvironment. We discuss the reduction in p53 expression levels in tumor associated fibroblasts that promotes cancer progression, and the role of mutated p53 in the interaction between the tumor and its microenvironment. Lastly, we discuss the potential of TP53 mutations to serve as diagnostic biomarkers and detail some more advanced efforts to use mutated p53 as a therapeutic target in HGSC.
Highlights
Mutations in tumor suppressor gene TP53, encoding for the p53 protein, are the most ubiquitous genetic variation in human ovarian HGSC, the most prevalent and lethal histologic subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)
In this article we review the major role of TP53 in HGSC and present the potential of targeting p53 as a therapeutic alternative for this disease
Based on an analysis of the TCGA dataset of ovarian HGSC cases, one study reported that patients with GOF TP53 are more likely to be platinum-resistant and develop distant metastasis as compared to HGSC patients with no evidence of GOF, with no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) between patients with GOF
Summary
Polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor Bevacizumab are currently the only approved targeted therapies against HGSC Despite these new therapies, the grim prognosis of this disease is largely unchanged [17,18], emphasizing the urgent unmet need for developing more efficient therapeutics for treating this fatal type of EOC and enhancing patients’ survival rate. TP53, a well-established and extensively studied tumor suppressor gene, is located in chromosome 17p13.1 of the human genome [19] and composed of 11 exons, encoding the 53KDa protein p53 It is a homo-tetrameric protein, consisting of 393 amino acidscontaining and containing four functional domains: 1. MDMX ( known as MDM4), a homolog of MDM2, and other viral proteins (SV40 large T-antigen, adenovirus E1B-55-kDa protein, and the E6 oncoprotein of human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16 and 18) have been implicated in inhibiting the wild-type activity of p53 [51,52]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
