title: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) as a prognostic indicator in patients with gastric tumors: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Though researched for years, the prognostic role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) in gastric cancer is still controversial. We thus undertook a systematic review to assess the relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematically literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, China Biological Medicine Disc and Cochrane Library was undertaken in February 2013, and the reference lists of articles were retrieved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  12 trials (1,555 participants) were included to assess the association between HIF-1α expression and survival. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. HIF-1α expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival of gastric cancer patients (HR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.13-1.58; P=0.0009), but not with poor disease free survival of gastric cancer patients (HR=1.67, 95%CI: 0.99-2.82; P=0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIF-1α was associated with poor OS, but not DFS, especially for Asian patients. But studies evaluating relationships of HIF- 1α with OS and DFS in non-Asian gastric cancer patients appear needed.
authors.affiliation: Evidence Based Medicine Center of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qiu-Ning
authors.initials: QN
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hu
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jin-Hui
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit