Concomitant overexpression of heat-shock protein 70 and HLA class-I in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression is reportedly frequently reduced in cancer. We examined heat-shock protein (HSP) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HCV-related HCC was examined in 73 patients who had undergone hepatectomy, and the relationship between HSP70 and HLA class I expressions, clinicopathological factors and survival was evaluated. RESULTS: Immunohistochemically positive results for HSP70 and HLA class I were seen in 67 (92%) and 43 cases (59%), respectively, while 38 patients (52%) were positive for both. Increased HSP70 immunoreactivity was significantly associated with high histological grade of tumor differentiation (p = 0.0179), whereas reduced HLA class I immunoreactivity was significantly associated with large tumor size (p = 0.0082). No differences were apparent between disease-free and overall survival in regard to expression levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that HSP70 expression may be related to tumor differentiation and HLA class I loss may occur with tumor growth in HCV-related HCC.