Heat shock proteins (HSP), are structures thought to have functions similar to those of strong cytokines, which govern interactions between proteins, maintain balance in these interactions and modify their structure.

HSP’s identify immune system disease cells intracellularly by developing memory storages and red flags and extracellularly by sending danger signals. HSP’s are classified into two groups according to molecular weight. The small HSP’s, denoted as HSP 27, 60, 70 and 90 have been found to bind to various types of malignant tumors. Interactions with HSP activation factor (AF) have been found to cause steroid hormone receptors i.e. progesterone receptors (PR) to form complexes with HSP’s especially those containing HSP90. Any breakdown in the relationship between progesterone receptors (PR) and HSP, by impairing gene activation affects the formation of malignant growths. The role of HSP’s in cancer is still a mystery. The same HSP can, according to cancer type, lead to positive or negative prognoses.

Keywords: Heat shock proteins, immunosupression, cancer, progesterone receptor, CD3 zeta