The unexplained survival of cells in oral cancer: what is the role of p53?

In normal oral epithelium the cells divide, mature, differentiate, and die. This sequence is not normally followed in oral cancer. Instead, the death of the cells is somehow prevented, although the pathways toward cell death in normal oral epithelium and the defects in oral cancer are not well defined. However, several components in the system have been identified, and information on their interactions is becoming available. This review summarizes the evidence for cell death being due to apoptosis and the central role of the p53 gene product in its regulation. Areas for future research are also identified.