title: Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 as a potential novel biomarker in digestive system cancers: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MALAT1 (Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1), a newly discovered long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be overexpressed in various cancers. However, the clinical value of MALAT1 in digestive system cancers is unclear. This study was designed to investigate the potential value of MALAT1 as a prognostic biomarker in digestive system cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. All studies that explored the correlation between lncRNA MALAT1 expression and survival in digestive system tumors were selected. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed for the correlation between lncRNA MALAT1 expression and survival in digestive system tumors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five studies were eligible for analysis, which included 547 patients. Meta-analysis showed that high expression of MALAT1 could predict poor overall survival (OS) in digestive system cancers (pooled HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.43, p < 0.0001). For disease-free survival (DFS), elevated MALAT1 expression was also a significant predictor with a combined HR of 2.28 (95% CI: 1.42-3.67, p = 0.0007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  lncRNA MALAT1 may serve as a potential novel prognostic biomarker in digestive system cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China - tofsw@sina.com.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Run J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shu B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Zou