Hsp27 as a prognostic and predictive factor in cancer

CIOCCA D.R.; VARGAS ROIG L.M.

Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology

Springer-Verlag

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2002; p. 205 - 218

Hsp27 expression in human tumors and cells has been analyzed in more studies than those presented here, but in this chapter we have emphasized those results showing the evaluation of Hsp27 in the prognosis of the disease or in the response to a specific therapy. From these studies it is not possible to draw a general conclusion, tumors of the same origin but of different cell types have shown disparate associations with disease prognosis or response to a therapy; sometimes there is no association at all. These discrepancies may be, in part, explained by the limits inherent to the studies (heterogeneous and small samples, different methodologies, etc.) however, in each tumor cell type there appears to be a unique role for Hsp27. We should remember that Hsps in general are very promiscuous proteins and the different molecular milieu in each tumor type seems to be affecting the roles and implications of Hsp27 in tumor biology. So far, Hsp27 is emerging as a useful molecular marker in several tumors, but more clinical studies are needed to confirm and expand these observations.