Targeting heat shock protein 70 to increase chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer

Abstract

This study investigated the role of stress-inducible heat shock protein 70 family members, particularly HSPA6, in cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer. HSP70 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in patient-derived ascites spheroids compared with matched tumor tissues and ovarian cancer cell lines. Pharmacological inhibition of HSP70 enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in vitro, while shRNA-mediated HSPA6 silencing increased cisplatin sensitivity and reduced intraperitoneal tumor burden and dissemination in xenograft models. These findings suggest that HSPA6 contributes to platinum tolerance in the ascites niche and may represent a potential therapeutic target to improve cisplatin efficacy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.