p53 is a powerful
tumor suppressor and is an attractive
cancer therapeutic target. A breakthrough in
cancer research came from the discovery of the drugs which are capable of reactivating p53 function. Most anti-
cancer agents, from traditional chemo- and
radiation therapies to more recently developed non-
peptide small molecules exert their effects by enhancing the anti-proliferative activities of p53. Small molecules such as nutlin, RITA, and
PRIMA-1 that can activate p53 have shown their anti-
tumor effects in different types of
hematological malignancies. Importantly, nutlin and
PRIMA-1 have successfully reached the stage of phase I/II clinical trials in at least one type of hematological
cancer. Thus, the pharmacological activation of p53 by these small molecules has a major clinical impact on prognostic use and targeted
drug design. In the current review, we present the recent achievements in p53 research using small molecules in
hematological malignancies. Anticancer activity of different classes of compounds targeting the p53 signaling pathway and their mechanism of action are discussed. In addition, we discuss how
p53 tumor suppressor protein holds promise as a
drug target for recent and future novel
therapies in these diseases.