We have previously shown that aberrant p53 associates with poor survival.13 p53 is a major apoptotic regulator in cancer.31 MMR proteins, and specifically MSH-2, have also been found to influence apoptotic signaling by recognizing damaged DNA independently of their repair function.32 Thus, a combination of impaired MSH-2 and aberrant p53 may lead to increased mutagenesis and disrupted apoptotic signaling. This evidence concerns the gene TP53 and cancer.