Lavarino et al (2000), who determined the p53 status of 48 ovarian tumours using SSCP and sequence analysis as well as immunohistochemistry, reported that patients with p53 mutant tumours had an increased sensitivity to paclitaxel in combination with platinum compounds. In the present study, there was no relationship between p53 expression and response to chemotherapy. This is in contrast to previous much smaller studies (Righetti et al, 1996; Buttitta et al, 1997; Lavarino et al, 2000; Reles et al, 2001). This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and ovarian neoplasm.