The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a conserved family of ubiquitously expressed proteins that functions to protect cells from various environmental damage.  Two proteins within the family, HSP70 and HSP27 demonstrate strong anti-apoptotic activity; its overexpression allow cells to survive in variable conditions.  HSPs have been implicated in tumorigenesis – affecting cell cycle regulation, multidrug resistance and modulating p53 function.  HSP70 has been studied in a variety of malignancies, including breast, lung, oral, prostate and uterine-cervical cancers.  A majority of results associated HSP70 overexpression with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy.  Recently, HSP70 diagnostic utility was established in identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).  HSP70 was the most abundantly up-regulated gene in advanced HCC and its immunoreactivity was seen in the majority of HCC.  Its sensitivity and specificity were determined as 74% and 98%, respectively.  Furthermore, a three antibody panel with HSP70, Glypican 3, and Glutamine Synthetase is capable of distinguishing HCC from high grade dysplastic nodules with 100% specificity when 2 markers are positive.