The Association Between HSP90/topoisomerase I Immunophenotype and the Clinical Features of Colorectal Cancers in Respect to KRAS Gene Status

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and topoisomerase I (Topo I) expression and the association between both proteins and clinicopathological parameters of colorectal cancer (CRC), in order to describe their role in tumor biology regarding to Kirsten Ras (KRAS) - positive/negative cases.

Materials and methods: Expression of HSP90 and Topo I, and KRAS gene mutations were estimated in primary CRCs.

Results: HSP90/Topo I immunophenotype correlated with gender, Duke staging, tumor grade and lymph node metastasis (p<0.01). Positive correlation was found between KRAS mutation and HSP90 expression (p=0.02). HSP90, Topo I expression, and co-expression of HSP90/Topo I correlated with unfavorable parameters of CRCs in respect to KRAS gene status (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our results revealed that cooperation between HSP90 and Topo I expression exists in CRCs, independently of KRAS gene status, suggesting that co-expression of both proteins might be considered as a double target on individual tumor cells.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; HSP90; KRAS mutation; Topo I expression.