Role of AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood as a predictor for postsurgical recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA expression in peripheral blood one week after surgery as a predictor for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Published studies fulfilling the selection criteria were identified by searching several databases online. After a methodology assessment using a quality scale designed by European Lung Cancer Working Party, data in each research were aggregated by means of meta-analysis.


RESULTS
Altogether 368 cases were included in the 9 selected studies, which fulfilled the selection criteria. The quality scores ranged from 35% to 84% with a median score of 55%. The 'design' subscore had the lowest median value (38%). By aggregating the data, a high chi2 value (77.576) was presented. The fail-safe number was 136 and 64 for P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood 1 wk after surgery correlated with the recurrence of HCC and was a good predictor for tumor recurrence.
Ding
Xiang
X
Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China. lianyueyang@hotmail.com.
Yang
Lian-Yue
LY
Huang
Geng-Wen
GW
Yang
Jian-Qing
JQ
Liu
He-Li
HL
Wang
Wei
W
Peng
Ji-Xiang
JX
Yang
Jie-Quan
JQ
Tao
Yi-Ming
YM
Chang
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Ling
Xiu-Shou
XS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins