Since p53 expression and function are altered in both neurodegenerative diseases and cancer and given the fact that both pathologies are characterized by drastic alterations of autophagic processes, one can envision that either gain (neurodegeneration) or loss (tumorigenicity) of function of p53 could directly influence PINK1 function and thereby, could contribute to the anatomical stigmata and clinical pictures observed in these pathologies. The gene discussed is PINK1; the disease is cancer.