Prof Karen Vousden

Tumour Suppression Group
Beatson Institute for Cancer Research
Glasgow

Understanding p53: the protein at the heart of cancer

Professor Karen Vousden’s world-leading research focuses on a protein called p53 - a key player in the body's defences against cancer. Her team is finding new ways to treat the disease by harnessing the power of this crucial protein in cancer cells. Professor Vousden is Director of the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow, where she leads the Tumour Suppression Group.

The discovery of p53 in 1979 changed the face of cancer research. The protein protects us from the disease by causing cells to stop growing or die in response to damage to their DNA. This built-in ‘fail safe’ prevents damaged cells from going on to cause cancer.

Unfortunately, some damaged cells evade this defence because their p53 is ‘switched off’ or faulty. We now know that most cancer cells have lost their p53 protection, showing just how important the protein is in the development of the disease.

Professor Vousden’s team is investigating exactly how p53 responds to DNA damage and other problems inside cells. The group has made several key discoveries, such as showing how p53 is controlled and how this can go wrong in cancer cells.

Reactivating p53

Professor Vousden and other scientists around the world are searching for drugs that will help to switch p53 back on in cancer cells. This could stop tumour cells from growing or even kill them.

Drugs like this have the potential to treat many different types of cancer, and some of them are now being tested in early clinical trials. The story of p53 shows how research into the inner workings of cancer cells can lead to key discoveries that will help us tackle this complex disease.

In January 2010 Professor Vousden was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to clinical science. She has been elected to the Royal Society of London and Edinburgh, and in August 2009 she was awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh's prestigious Royal Medal for her outstanding contribution to cancer research.