Zeitschrift für klinische und zelluläre Immunologie
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Heat Shock Proteins in the Cancer Immunity: Comprehensive Review on Potential Chemotherapeutic Interventions

Abhijnya KVV, and Sreedhar AS

Cancer is still a major research concern due to increased cancer incidences with increased tumor heterogeneity. Although the present therapeutic approaches to target cancer biomarkers are encouraging, they have limitations due to differential sensitivity with respect to the type and grade of tumors. The most important limitation incur to the tumor communication with the host system. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been identified as potential pharmacological targets to combat cancer. Majority of studies performed in vitro suggest their contribution in oncogenic signal transduction with a curtailed quest of information on host communication in vivo. Hsps play significant role in innate as well as adaptive host immune response. We review Hsp mediated host communication with the tumor in alleviating the host immune response. We also review how Hsp-dependent and Hsp-independent chemotherapeutic strategies can be used to target tumors both in vitro as well as in vivo and describe potential mechanism of action of such drugs in treating cancers. Altogether, a comprehensive cross-talk between Hsps and tumor immunity is provided.