p53 mutation in the genesis of metastasis

Development of metastatic cancer is a complex series of events that includes genesis of tumor-related vascular and lymphatic systems, enhanced cellular motility, and the capacity to invade and survive at distant sites, as well as evasion of host defences. The wild-type p53 protein plays key roles in controlling these facets of tumor progression, and loss of normal p53 function can be sufficient to predispose tumor cells to gain metastatic properties. In contrast, dominant p53 mutants that have gained oncogenic functions can actively drive metastasis through a variety of mechanisms. This chapter aims to highlight these processes.