HSP70 as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Egyptian Breast Cancer Women

Abstract

Boackground: HSP70 is a significant cellular stress response protein that has intrinsic and extrinsic pathways to protect cells against apoptosis. It is one of the most induced proteins in cancer cells. The aim of the present study is to investigate the significant role of the HSP70 expression in Egyptian breast cancer (BC) patients and its potential to be as a diagnostic and prognostic marker. Materials and Methods: HSP70 was examined in 155 cases in this prospective study; patients were subdivided into three groups: 60 malignant metastatic patients, 60 malignant non-metastatic patients and 35 benign lesions as control. HSP70 expression was detected using ELISA and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Most breast cancer cases expressed HSP70 in both serum (98.3%) and tumor tissue (90%). A strong positive correlation was found between HSP70 IHC, and ELISA (r= 0.811). The mean HSP70 levels, as detected in both patients’ serum by ELISA and tumor tissue by IHC, was significantly higher in BC patients than in benign cases (p=0.001). HSP70 was significantly higher in metastatic BC cases than in nonmetastatic BC (p=0.001). HSP70 showed positive correlation with tumor size (pT stage) and number of lymph node metastasis (p=<0.001). Conclusion: HSP70 is over-expressed in metastatic and non- metastatic BC patients as compared to benign cases. High level of HSP70 either in patient’s serum or in tumor tissue correlated significantly with advanced disease in BC patients. The present study suggests that HSP70 can serve as BC biomarkers for early screening, diagnosis and follow up