The tumour suppressor protein p53 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in response to carcinogenic stress and prevention of tumour development.11,12 Mutations in p53 are associated with 50% of all human cancers.13,14 p53 recognises a 20-bp DNA sequence consisting of two repeats of 5′-RRRCWWGYYY-3′ (where R = A or G; Y = C or T; W = A or T) separated by 0–13 bp.15 This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and cancer.