one of a group of proteins that help protect cells from stresses such as heat, cold, and low amounts of oxygen or glucose (sugar). heat-shock proteins help other proteins function in normal cells and may be present at high levels in cancer cells. blocking the activity of a heat-shock protein called hsp90 is being studied in the treatment of cancer. other heat-shock proteins including hsp70 and gp96 are being studied in vaccines to treat cancer. also called hsp and stress protein.
heat-generating