title: Bcl-2 expression predicts sensitivity to chemotherapy in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies have yielded inconclusive results regarding the relationship between anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression and the sensitivity to chemotherapy in the patients with breast cancer. The purpose of the current study was therefore to elaborate their relationship.
  A total of 23 previously published eligible studies involving 2,467 cases were identified and included in this meta-analysis. Negative Bcl-2 expression was associated with good chemotherapy response in breast cancer patients (total objective response [OR]: risk ratio [RR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.32, p = 0.026; total complete response [CR]: RR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.24-2.24, p = 0.001; pathological CR: RR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.38-2.69, p < 0.001). In further stratified analyses, this association remained for sub-groups of response in neoadjuvant chemotherapy setting, especially pathological CR. Besides, negative Bcl-2 expression was significantly associated with good OR and pathological CR in anthracycline-based chemotherapy subgroup. Furthermore, there were significant links between negative Bcl-2 expression and taxane-based chemotherapy with pathological CR, but not OR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that Bcl-2 expression is a predictive factor for chemotherapy sensitivity in breast cancer patients. They could also potentially benefit further clinical treatment for breast cancers.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Min-Bin
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Qiang
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Wuxi People's Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province 214023, China. liucy@wuxiph.com.
authors.forename: Chao-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Pei-Hua
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D043823:Taxoids