Final answer:
While mutant p53 can influence the behavior of cancer cells, patients with mutant p53 can still be effectively treated with radiation therapy because it targets the increased sensitivity of rapidly dividing cancer cells to radiation, irrespective of p53 status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer patients with mutant p53 can still be treated effectively with radiation therapy. The effectiveness of radiation therapy relies not so much on p53 status but on the fact that cancer cells have a higher sensitivity to radiation due to their rapid replication rate. The goal of radiotherapy is to maximize the therapeutic ratio—that is, to maximize the damage to cancer cells while minimizing the harm to normal cells. Radiation is often concentrated at the tumor site to achieve this effect.
Mutated p53 genes have been identified in over 50% of all human cancer cells. Although the role of p53 is crucial in detecting DNA damage and triggering repair or apoptosis, the presence of mutated p53 does not necessarily render radiation therapy ineffective. This is because radiation works by causing widespread damage to DNA, especially in rapidly dividing cells, which includes most cancer cells regardless of their p53 status.
Treatment of cancer using the p53 protein illustrates the 'fight against biology' as it represents a strategy to tip the balance in favor of normal cellular functions over cancerous growth and resistance by exploiting cellular vulnerabilities.