TP53 and cancer: The function of wild type p53 is the negative regulation of cell proliferation, with a transcription action that inhibits the G1 phase of the cell cycle in the presence of damaged DNA.1-3 p53 is the most intensely investigated gene in human cancer.2 Its mutations have been identified in 50% of adult neoplasias involving the colon, lung, esophagus, stomach, liver, breast, and uterine cervix.4 However, mutations of the p53 gene have been little observed in children.5,6