Altobelli E, Angeletti PM, Morroni M, Profeta VF. HtrA1 as a promising tissue marker in cancer: a meta-analysis.
BMC Cancer 2018;
18:143. [PMID:
29409460 PMCID:
PMC5801749 DOI:
10.1186/s12885-018-4041-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
HtrA1 is expressed in a variety of normal human tissues and seems to be involved in numerous physiological processes as well as tumorigenesis. This study reports the results of a meta-analysis that was performed: to compare HtrA1 expression as mRNA and protein, in cancer tissue versus non-cancer tissue and to assess overall survival in relation to low or medium-high HtrA1 tissue expression.
METHODS
The PRISMA method was used for study selection. OR and HR with 95% confidence interval was used as a measure of effect size as appropriate. A random-effects model was applied to account for different sources of variation among studies. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using Q statistic. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to check the stability of study findings. Egger's regression method was applied to test funnel plot asymmetry.
RESULTS
Sensitivity analysis indicated the stability of meta-analytic findings in each meta-analysis. The study found a significantly different HtrA1 expression in cancer and non-cancer tissue. The meta-analysis of the prognostic studies showed a different survival according to HtrA1 expression.
CONCLUSIONS
The present data may provide a contribution to future work directed at exploring the role of HtrA1 in tumor development and progression and at establishing whether it may be used as a promising tissue marker for some tumors.
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