TP53 and neoplasm: Tumor suppressor genes typically encode retinoblastoma-associated protein (RB) and tumor protein 53 (TP53), which control both cell proliferation, and activation of senescence (i.e., dormant state) and apoptosis (i.e., cell death) [6]. RB is a gate-keeper in the cell-cycle and defects in the protein can result in persistent proliferation [32].