Functional characterisation of p53 mutants identified in breast cancers with suboptimal responses to anthracyclines or mitomycin

► 10 p53 variants encoded by mutated TP53 in breast cancers were characterised. ► Each tumour was characterised for response to anthracycline or mitomycin therapy. ► All mutants bound wild-type p53, potentially acting in a dominant negative manner. ► All mutants showed reduced induction of apoptosis/senescence ► P53 mutations both within and outside the L2/L3 domains may cause treatment failure.