Prognostic role of microRNA-21 in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have reported that microRNA-21 (miR-21) mihght predict the survival outcome in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) but the opposite opinion has also been expressed. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence for a prognostic role of miR-21.


METHODS
All the eligible studies was searched by Medline and EMBASE and patients' clinical characteristics and survival outcome were extracted. Then a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of the miR-21 expression in different subgroups.


RESULTS
A total of 8 eligible articles were yielded covering survival outcomes or clinical characteristics. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) was 2.19 [0.76, 6.30], while the combined HR (95% CI) of Asian group for OS had a significant result, 5.49 [2.46, 12.27]. The combined HR (95% CI) for recurrence free survival or disease free survival (RFS/DFS) was 2.31 [1.52, 3.49]. Odds ratios (ORs) showed that the miR-21 expression was associated with lymph node status and histological type.


CONCLUSIONS
miR-21 expression could predict the prognostic outcome of NSCLC in Asians, despite some deficiencies in the study data.
Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
Xue-Lei
XL
Ma
Lei
L
Liu
Xiao-Xiao
XX
Liu
Yun
Y
Li
Lei
L
Deng
Zhi-Lan
ZL
Xiao
Yan-Tong
YT
Liu
Hua-Shan
HS
Shi
Yu-quan
YQ
Wei
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs