Evaluation of clinicopathological parameters and immunoexpression of heat shock protein -27 in breast carcinoma and metastatic lymph nodes

Background: Breast cancer, the second most common worldwide, causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing nations. Aberrant HSP-27 expression links to aggressive tumors, chemotherapy resistance, and poor prognosis. The stage of disease at diagnosis is the most important prognostic variable. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the expression of HSP-27 in Invasive breast carcinoma and metastatic regional lymph nodes. Methods: The present study was a prospective study conducted from December 2019 to May 2021. Data was obtained from clinical records of 35 patient’s preliminary diagnosed as breast carcinoma by different diagnostic modalities Corresponding modified radical mastectomy specimens were grossed according to standard protocol ,processed to paraffin block and sectioned. The slides were stained with routine Haematoxylin and eosin stain. Additionally, the slides were immunostained with HSP-27 antibody. Results: The study included 35 female patients aged 29 to 80 years, with a mean age of 50 years. Most cases (37%) were between 31–40 years. Invasive ductal carcinoma, no special type, was the most common histopathologic pattern (97%). Grade II tumors (46%) and TNM stage IIIA (34%) predominated. Positive HSP-27 expression was noted in 89% of breast carcinomas and 100% of metastatic lymph nodes. Expression intensity varied, but no significant correlation was found with tumor grade or stage (p > 0.05). Conclusion: HSP-27 can be a reliable tumor marker in breast carcinoma and may be a molecular target in cancer therapy.