Pattern of mutant p53 expression in human astrocytomas suggests the existence of alternate pathways of tumorigenesis

Abstract

The pattern of mutant p53 expression is consistent with a role in driving the progression of low-grade astrocytomas to more malignant tumors. These results provide a genetic basis for the clinical observation that malignant astrocytomas resulting from anaplastic progression occur in a younger patient population than do malignant astrocytomas arising de novo.