p53 and γ radiation in the normal breast

Abstract

Purpose: With the increasing use of radiation as adjuvant therapy in breast cancer, the effects of γ radiation on the remaining normal breast are of increasing importance. The complexities of multiple cellular types within breast tissues and the role of the pleiotropic Tumour Protein 53 (TP53, p53) protein with its downstream transcriptional targets and cellular processes may be central to the effects on residual normal breast tissues.

Conclusion: While a detailed understanding of p53 protein-mediated responses in normal breast tissues remains elusive, p53 appears to have a pivotal role in the effects of γ radiation on normal breast epithelium, but not stromal cells, which may account for the differing clinical effects of γ radiation in women treated for breast cancer.

Keywords:

• p53
• breast
• γ radiation
• normal tissue

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Karen Murray for technical expertise. This work is supported by Breast Cancer Research Scotland.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.