S039 Activation of the Gain-of-Function p53R172H Allele Predisposes to Oral Cancer Progression

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex;

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston

Objective: Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 are found in more than 50% of the squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) that develop in the oral cavity. Most of these mutations are missense mutations that result in expression of altered versions of p53. We wanted to analyze the role of the mutant p53R172H in oral cancer development and determine whether p53R172H acquires gain-of-function properties.