When comparing the relationship between the expression of p53 and p53R2, and clinical outcome in 62 patients, the 5-year survival rates of the patients with p53 (−) and p53 (+) tumours were 49.4 and 19.1%, respectively (P=0.0011), and p53R2 (−) and p53R2 (+) tumours were 43.2 and 23.0%, respectively (P=0.0057). Here, RRM2B is linked to neoplasm.