Antibodies to heat-shock protein 27 Summary The overexpression of the heat-shock proteins hsp9O, hsp70 and hsp27 in human mammary carcinomas has previously been shown to correlate with reduced overall survival. Moreover, antibodies to hsp9O were detectable in the serum of a large proportion of breast cancer patients but they were not found in normal controls. High antibody levels also correlated with reduced survival. Here, we show that antibodies to hsp27 were also detectable in the sera from breast cancer patients but not from normal controls, whereas antibodies to hsp70 were detectable in approximately one-third of both groups. The presence of antibodies to hsp27 was correlated with an improved rather than a reduced survival, particularly beyond the first 5 years. Hence, the overexpression of hsps in breast cancer cells does not provoke a generalized immune response to all the hsps. Moreover, the presence of antibodies to different hsps has distinct associations with survival. These effects are discussed in terms of the mechanisms that provoke an immune response to the hsps and the protective/non-protective effects of such a response.

NSAIDs may reduce breast cancer risk by 20% but the optimal type, dose and duration is still undetermined together with the feasibility of such an intervention in an at risk population. There may be a role for NSAIDs in combination with endocrine therapies as either an adjuvant or palliative treatment for women with established breast cancer.

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