Expression of Heat Shock Protein 27 according to Gleason Score and Pathologic Stage of Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is induced by heat shock and other pathophysiologic stresses. We examined the relationship between HSP27 expression and Gleason score and pathologic stage of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three men were treated by radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer diagnosed from May 2004 to April 2007. Prostate tissues (n=53) were obtained from radical prostatectomy specimens of prostate cancer. The overall percentage of cancer cells showing staining (0% to 100%) was indicated by visual scoring. Specimens were graded from +1 to +3 intensity representing the range of staining area, for which below 5% is +1 grade, 5-50% is +2 grade, over 50% is +3 grade and focal reaction is +0.5 grade. RESULTS: An HSP27-positive reaction was seen in 2 of 11 cases (18.2%) with a Gleason score of 4-6, 11 of 19 cases (57.9%) with a Gleason score 7, 6 of 10 cases (60.0%) with a Gleason score 8, 12 of 13 cases (92.3%) with a Gleason score of 9 (p=0.001); the mean HSP27 reaction scores were 0.27, 0.86, 0.83, and 1.54 respectively (p=0.006). An HSP27-positive reaction was seen in 17 of 37 cases (46.0%) with pathologic stage T2, 10 of 12 cases (83.3%) with pathologic stage T3, and 4 of 4 cases (100%) with pathologic stage T4 (p=0.0032); the mean HSP27 reaction scores were 0.64, 1.17, and 2, respectively (p=0.007). HSP27 expression was not statistically significant according to age. CONCLUSIONS: There is correlation between HSP27 expression and Gleason score, pathologic stage of prostate cancer.