To ascertain whether the p53 codon 72 alleles show a functional difference with regards to cell survival and regulation of hypoxia response genes, p53-null cells (the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-157, the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HEP-3B, the prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3) were exposed to <0.1%. The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.