Low molecular weight heat shock protein HSP27 is a prognostic indicator in rectal cancer but not colon cancer

Abstract

In a large cohort of patients with a poor prognosis, HSP27 is an independent marker of poor outcome in rectal cancer; its expression is not altered by neoadjuvant radiotherapy. This finding requires validation in an independent similar cohort of patients with rectal cancer. HSP27 levels merit evaluation as a stratification factor for treatment of rectal cancer.