Serum Heat-shock Protein 70 Level for Predicting Postoperative Morbidity in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) is important in host responses to various stresses. This study analyzed the correlation between preoperative serum concentrations of HPS70 and postoperative morbidity in patients with esophageal cancer.

Materials and Methods: Serum samples were obtained preoperatively from 31 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Serum HSP70 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the relationships between serum HSP70 level and postoperative morbidities were analyzed.

Results: The mean concentration of serum HSP70 was 9.71 ng/ml. When patients were dichotomized relative to this cutoff, no significant relationships between perioperative inflammatory markers and serum HSP70 level were observed. The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in patients with HSP70 ≥9.71 ng/ml (p=0.0281).

Conclusion: Preoperative serum level of HSP70 was significantly correlated with postoperative morbidities in patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, enhancing the HSP70 level prior to invasive surgery could be a feasible strategy to prevent morbidity.