Cancer and p53
One of the most frequently altered genes in cancer is for a protein - p53 - which monitors DNA damage. When DNA in a cell is too damaged, p53 normally sends a signal that tells the cell to commit suicide. When p53 is lost in tumours, this vital protection is absent. Scientists are experimenting with gene therapy, which one day might be used to replace the normal p53 gene in tumours. Another approach uses a virus - called ONYX-015 - that only attacks and kills those cancer cells without working p53.
