Association between Tumor Vasculogenic Mimicry and the Poor Prognosis of Gastric Cancer in China: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background. Vasculogenic mimicry can promote tumor growth and metastasis. This article is aimed at conducting a systematic meta-analysis to explore the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of vasculogenic mimicry and gastric cancer.Methods. We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the VIP and Wanfang Database for eligible studies. We manually searched for printed journals and relevant textbooks. Subgroups analyses were performed based on the region, manuscript quality, methods of vasculogenic mimicry identification, pathology, and number of patients.Results. Nine studies with 997 patients were included in this meta-analysis. A significant association was observed between vasculogenic mimicry-positive patients and those with gastric cancer with poor overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-3.47), poor pathological grading, high tumor node metastasis clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, deep tumor invasion, and distant metastasis.Conclusions. Vasculogenic mimicry is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer in China. Clinical studies with large samples are needed worldwide and standardized protocols should be adopted in the future to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between gastric cancer and vasculogenic mimicry.
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road East, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Qiujun
0000-0001-6600-9540
Q
Guo
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road East, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Yuan
0000-0002-3997-6604
Y
Yuan
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Zhichao
0000-0003-0909-4499
Z
Jin
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Tao
0000-0002-6052-2084
T
Xu
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China; Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North Third Ring Road East, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Yebo
0000-0001-9555-4724
Y
Gao
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Huamin
0000-0003-1866-8212
H
Wei
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Conghuang
0000-0002-1569-9462
C
Li
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Wei
W
Hou
Department of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, No. 5 Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China.
Baojin
0000-0002-6940-9555
B
Hua
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate