Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of p53 rs1042522, MDM2 rs2279744 and p21 rs1801270, all in the p53 pathway, which plays a crucial role in DNA damage and genomic instability, were reported to be associated with cancer risk and pathologic characteristics.
Although many epidemiological studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between the p21 Ser31Arg polymorphism and cancer risk, the findings remain conflicting.
Two polymorphisms of p21 gene in codon 31 (p21 C98A, dbSNP rs1801270) and the 3'UTR (p21 C70T, dbSNP rs1059234) may affect protein expression and play a role in cancer susceptibility.
Two polymorphisms of the p21 gene at codon 31 (p21 C98A, dbSNP rs1801270) and at the 3' untranslated region (p21 T70C, dbSNP rs1059234) may have an effect on the protein function and may thus play a role in the development of cancer.