TP53 and neoplasm: As the p53 gene is pivotal in activating cellular responses to a wide range of stresses including DNA damage, it is not surprising that the ability of tumour cells to respond to chemo- and radiotherapy depends, at least in part, on the p53 pathway (Temam et al, 2000; Gudkov and Komarova, 2003; Soussi, 2003).