Objective To explore the progress of the relationship between the tumor suppressor gene p53 and oncogene c-erbB-2 and gastric cancer in recent years. Methods Relevant literatures about p53 and c-erbB-2 in gastric cancer were collected and analyzed. Results The mutation of p53 gene and the over-expression of c-erbB-2 gene were a common event in gastric cancer. The mutation of p53 gene was correlated with the location of gastric cancer and its aggressive biological behavior. The over-expression of c-erbB-2 gene could be used as an independent prognostic parameter in gastric cancer. The drugs targeted on p53 and c-erbB-2 gene were being developed. Conclusion Further research on the role of p53 and c-erbB-2 gene in the development of gastric cancer is helpful to understand the biological behavior and provide theoretical basis for gene therapy.
