The significance of heat shock protein 27 in breast cancer: A signature to predict the outcome

Abstract

Introduction: Heat shock protein (HSP) 27, if overexpressed in breast cancers, affects the disease outcome and sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There are limited studies on actual patients in India, so the present study was designed to contribute our experiences to the literature regarding HSP 27 expression and its significance in breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty diagnosed cases of invasive duct carcinoma are evaluated for histopathology grade, stage, and expression of immune markers, namely, ER, PR, HER2, VEGF, and HSP 27, followed up to 2 years after primary management, especially if treated with Herceptin. The staining was evaluated, and data were analyzed using the χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: HSP 27 is expressed strongly in most ER- and PR-positive cases, but there is no correlation with Her2 and VEGF. The findings suggest more advanced disease, adverse outcomes, and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, these findings are directly related to strong HSP 27 expressions and shorter overall survival in the group of ER/PR-positive breast carcinoma cases, but this relation can be relied upon up to stage II disease. After that, in advance cases, HSP 27 loses its significance slowly and could not establish any link between HSP 27 and Herceptin resistance because of a short follow-up. Conclusion: HSP 27 proved a promising prognostic marker in ER/PR-positive breast carcinoma cases.