First Steps

Prostate Progress
(continued)

He and Shi are now investigating whether other p53 mutations besides R273H also help prostate cancer cells become androgen independent. The scientists hope to answer related questions as well: How, precisely, does a p53 mutation confer androgen independence? Can a drug be developed that will block this process?

Back in the climate-controlled rodent room, Shi returns the female mouse to its plastic con- tainer, then heads back to his laboratory. Dozens more p53 mutations await testing. One of them, Shi hopes, will lead to a drug that can prevent androgen independence, so that even advanced prostate cancer will become an easily treated disease.