Heat shock proteins: their role in urological tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Heat shock proteins are ubiquitous molecules that are expressed in response to stress in all living organisms. The 3 important roles in regard to cancer development that have also been described are the regulation of apoptosis, modulation of the immune response and drug resistance.


METHODS
Recent studies have dramatically increased our current knowledge and understanding of the role of heat shock protein in cancer. We used a MEDLINE approach to examine the past and current literature.


RESULTS
The roles of heat shock protein in relation to urological tumors, namely those of the prostate, bladder, kidney and testis, are diverse. There are possible sites for heat shock protein modifications that may lead to new therapeutic approaches to urological cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of treating patients with vaccines earlier in the disease course may stimulate research.
Lebret
Thierry
T
Department of Urology, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France.
Watson
R William G
RW
Fitzpatrick
John M
JM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins