Is there a specific mutation of p53 gene due to radon exposure? A systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the existing literature analysing the influence of radon exposure on mutations in tumour protein 53 gene (TP53) in lung cancer patients.


METHODS
Medline and EMBASE databases along with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographies were revised. Studies that had radon concentration as exposure variable and TP53 mutations as a result variable were included.


RESULTS
Eight studies were obtained, with a total of 578 individuals. They had been carried out on miners and on general population. A 26% of the miners' tumours had a mutation in gene TP53, versus a 24% in the population exposed to residential radon. A predominance of the AGG(ARG)--> ATG(MET) (Arginine to Methionine) mutation in miners was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The available results are not consistent in order to support the existence of a radon hotspot in TP53 gene. Future research should focus at least on exons 5 to 8, where most of the mutation clusters in lung tumours are observed.
Ruano-Ravina
Alberto
A
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. alberto.ruano@usc.es
Faraldo-Valles
Maria J
MJ
Barros-Dios
Juan M
JM
D003062:Codon; D005091:Exons; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D003062:Codon; D011886:Radon