We have used a methodology similar to previous systematic reviews reported by our group on the treatment of lung cancer (Luce et al, 1998; Sculier et al, 1998; Meert et al, 1999; Mascaux et al, 2000) after an adaptation to biological prognostic factors such as p53 (Steels et al, 2001). The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is lung cancer.