TP53 overexpression in radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the rabbit mandible.

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of overexpression of TP53 (formerly known as p53) in osteosarcomas occurring after treatment of rabbit mandibles with high-dose external-beam radiation. As part of a protocol investigating hyperbaric oxygen treatment for osteoradionecrosis, 102 female New Zealand-White rabbits underwent mandibular radiation treatments with a total dose of 64 Gy in 20 treatment fractions. Twelve animals died during irradiation, leaving 90 animals at risk for tumor development.