The role of the p53 signaling pathway in prostate cancer

The p53 signaling pathway is crucial for maintaining genomic stability and regulating cell fate, significantly influencing the initiation, progression, and treatment resistance of prostate cancer (PCa). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the p53 pathway’s structure and function, emphasizing the distribution characteristics and clinical implications of TP53 mutations in PCa. It examines how these mutations relate to disease aggressiveness, treatment resistance, and patient prognosis. Additionally, the article delves into the mechanisms through which inactivation of the p53 pathway contributes to evasion of apoptosis, metabolic reprogramming, and alterations in the immune microenvironment. It also highlights the synergistic interactions between p53 and other molecular events, including TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and PTEN loss. Finally, the review addresses potential strategies and research challenges in targeting the p53 pathway for PCa treatment, offering a theoretical foundation and guidance for future basic research and clinical applications.