A prospective study of the interaction between p53 genotype and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) with and without neoadjuvant therapy (oxaliplatin and capecitabine/5-FU): A p53 research group study

e15003 Background: Mutations in the p53 gene have been suggested as both a marker of tumour aggressiveness and a means of predicting response to chemotherapy. Unfortunately, there remains no clear evidence that p53 gene mutation affects cancer survival rates. Methods: We sought to evaluate whether mutation in the p53 gene is a marker of more aggressive tumours or of chemotherapeutic failure. Between 2001 and 2003 we collected data prospectively on 76 patients with CRCLM at a single institution. Patients considered to be technically operable were included. 51 patients received preoperative therapy with oxaliplatin plus 5-FU or capetcitabine and 25 were treated with surgery only. Treatment decision was based on the preference of the surgeon or the patient. The groups did not differ in age, chronicity of CRCLM, staging and grading of the primary colorectal cancer. The p53 gene was assessed in all tumours through complete direct gene sequencing (Exon 2–11 including splice sites). Results: For entire cohort th...