Dr. Wang on the Significance of p53 Mutations in MCL

Michael Wang, MD, professor, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, founding and current director, Mantle Cell Lymphoma Program of Excellence, professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the significance of p53 mutations in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Unlike in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) where the presence of a p53 mutation indicates a negative prognostic factor, the available data are inconclusive as to the prognostic significance of p53 or 17p deletions in MCL, Wang explains. Therefore, it is not as clinically relevant to identify these aberrations in patients with MCL.

However, a p53 mutation can render one monomer in a functional tetramer non-functional, which can lead to therapeutic resistance in MCL, Wang says. To date, single-agent and doublet therapies have not been effective in overcoming this resistance caused by p53 mutations, so it is likely that triplet regimens will be indicated. Additionally, CAR T-cell therapy may offer an effective strategy to overcome this resistance, Wang concludes.