Prognostic value of the mRNA expression of members of the HSP90 family in non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential prognostic value of members of the heat shock protein (HSP)90 family in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The mRNA expression profiles of 1,926 NSCLC patients, which was available from the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, were included in the study. High expression of HSP90AA1 mRNA was significantly associated with a poorer rate of overall survival (OS) for all NSCLC patients [hazard ratio (HR), 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–1.37; P=0.004], as well as for patients with adenocarcinoma (ADE; HR, 1.3; 95% CI: 1.02–1.65; P=0.034), but no significant correlation was identified for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients (HR, 1.08; 95% CI: 0.85–1.38; P=0.51). High expression of HSP90AB1 and HSP90B1 mRNA was significantly associated with poorer rates of OS in lung SCC and ADE patients combined, as well as in lung ADE patients alone. By contrast, high expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) mRNA was significantly associated with improved OS rates in all NSCLC patients combined (HR, 0.88; 95% CI: 0.77–0.99; P=0.041), as well as ADE patients. In stratified survival analysis, a high expression of HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1 and HSP90B1 predicted poor prognosis in stage I NSLCC patients, suggesting that these genes may serve as stage-independent prognostic indicators. As an elevated expression of HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, HSP90B1 and TRAP1 was associated with poorer OS outcomes in patients with NSCLC, these HSP90 members may be potential prognostic biomarkers and drug targets for the treatment of NSCLC.