TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism in pancreatic cancer: a novel risk factor?

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PaC) is the 4th cancer-related cause of death in Western countries and it is expected to become the 2nd leading cause of death by 2030. Approximately 80% of patients are unresectable at diagnosis including a 41.4% of patients found unresectable at exploratory laparoscopy/tomy due to metastatic disease or local infiltration. Screening entire populations would be economically impractical. This results in a need to pinpoint high-risk populations. Liquid biopsy provides an non-invasive signature of the tumor and its host, it is easily repeatable and reproducibile.