Impacts of the TP53 X126 splice mutation on lung cancer progression

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in New Zealand and disproportionately impacts Pasifika and Māori communities. Pasifika and Māori have a two- and three-times higher mortality rate compared to NZ Europeans. The TP53 gene is a tumour suppressing gene involved in DNA repair, programmed cell death, and metabolic function. When this gene is mutated, these functions can become dysregulated and cause more aggressive cancer development. TP53 X126 splice mutation in tumour cells has been associated with poorer patient outcomes compared to other more common TP53 mutations. Studies into TP53 splice mutations are limited, therefore, this project aims to investigate how the X126 splice mutation contributes to lung cancer development, add knowledge to TP53 splice mutations, and add to our understanding of lung cancer development so we can help alleviate the high burden of lung cancer in Pasifika and Māori communities.