Therefore, the aim of our work was to investigate, in a large prospective study, the incidence of p53Abs, biomarkers of p53 mutations, in heavy smokers and patients with impaired lung function, at high risk of lung cancer and other cancers, in order to evaluate their relationship with tobacco smoke exposure and chronic airflow limitation, in view of a possible role in the early diagnosis of cancer. The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is lung carcinoma.