Heat Shock Protein 27 (G3.1)

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is part of the heat shock protein family. HSP27 is overexpressed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix using immunohistochemistry techniques.1 In a recent study, HSP27 expression was demonstrated in 47% of CIN1, 75% of CIN2, 92% of CIN3, and 100% of cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCC); whereas parallel comparison study for p16 IHC detection demonstrated p16 expression in 47% of CIN1, 67% of CIN2, 92% of CIN3 and 75% of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.1 Positive staining for both HSP27 and p16 was observed in 6% of normal cervical tissues and in 19% of CIN1, 18% of CIN2, 85% of CIN3, and 75% of SCC specimens. When both anti-HSP27 and anti-p16 were assessed using IHC, both the sensitivity and specificity were improved.1 In conclusion, anti-HSP27 immunohistochemistry is a useful tool for the identification of CIN and cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and is a good complement to anti-p16.1