-
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Jul 2023Statins are widely used due to their ability to lower plasma cholesterol and offer protection from the effects of atherosclerosis. However, their role in urology and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Statins are widely used due to their ability to lower plasma cholesterol and offer protection from the effects of atherosclerosis. However, their role in urology and specifically bladder cancer remains unclear. We aimed to systematically address this issue in the literature and determine any possible effects of statin therapy on bladder cancer.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and Cochrane Library databases for records up to 26 March 2023, for studies evaluating the effects of statins on urinary bladder cancer (UBC). We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohorts, and case-control studies that were conducted on the adult population. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023407795.
RESULTS
Database searches returned 2251 reports, and after thorough investigation and assessment for eligibility, 32 reports were included in the analysis. Of them, 4 were RCTs, 6 were case-control studies, and 22 were cohort studies. Our qualitative analysis demonstrated no association between statin administration and UBC local control, recurrence, survival, or mortality, or between statin administration and bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy effectiveness. A meta-analysis of 10 trials revealed a non-significant reduction of 11% in UBC risk among users compared with non-users in RCTs (RR: 0.89, 95% CI 0.68-1.16, = 0.37) and a non-significant increase of 32% of UBC risk among statin users compared with non-users in the analysis of the cohort studies (RR: 1.32, 95% CI 0.76-2.30, = 0.33).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide strong evidence to support the neutral effect of statins on UBC local control, recurrence, survival, and mortality, and on BCG immunotherapy. Our meta-analysis revealed a non-significant effect on UBC risk among statin users when compared with non-users, indicating no statin effect on UBC incidence and overall prognosis.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; BCG Vaccine; Incidence; Prognosis; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
PubMed: 37504348
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30070488 -
ESMO Open Dec 2023Despite increasing evidence on the safety of pregnancy after anticancer treatments in breast cancer survivors, many physicians and patients remain concerned about a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Despite increasing evidence on the safety of pregnancy after anticancer treatments in breast cancer survivors, many physicians and patients remain concerned about a potential risk of pregnancy specifically in the case of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane library with no language or date restriction up to 31 March 2023 was carried out. To be included, articles had to be retrospective and prospective case-control and cohort studies as well as clinical trials comparing survival outcomes of premenopausal women with or without a pregnancy after prior diagnosis of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were the outcomes of interest. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Study protocol is registered in PROSPERO (n. CRD42023394232).
RESULTS
Out of 7796 screened studies, 8 were eligible to be included in the final analysis. A total of 3805 patients with hormone receptor-positive invasive early breast cancer were included in these studies, of whom 1285 had a pregnancy after breast cancer diagnosis. Median follow-up time ranged from 3.8 to 15.8 years and was similar in the pregnancy and non-pregnancy cohorts. In three studies (n = 987 patients) reporting on DFS, no difference was observed between patients with and those without a subsequent pregnancy (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.75-1.24, P = 0.781). In the six studies (n = 3504 patients) reporting on OS, patients with a pregnancy after breast cancer had a statistically significant better OS than those without a pregnancy (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.77, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis of retrospective cohort studies provides updated evidence that having a pregnancy in patients with prior history of hormone receptor-positive invasive early breast cancer appears safe without detrimental effect on prognosis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Disease-Free Survival; Proportional Hazards Models; Prognosis
PubMed: 37879234
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.102031 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Whether neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an applicative predictor of poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. In... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Whether neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an applicative predictor of poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. In response to the current conflicting data, this meta-analysis was conducted to gain a comprehensive and systematic understanding of prognostic value of NLR in HCC.
METHODS
Several English databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, with an update date of February 25, 2023, were systematically searched. We set the inclusion criteria to include randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies that reported the prognostic value of serum NLR levels in patients with HCC receiving treatment. Both the combined ratio (OR) and the diagnosis ratio (DOR) were used to assess the prognostic performance of NLR. Additionally, we completed the risk of bias assessment by Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis ultimately included 16 studies with a total of 4654 patients with HCC. The results showed that high baseline NLR was significantly associated with poor prognosis or recurrence of HCC. The sensitivity of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI]. 0.59-0.73); specificity of 0.723 (95% CI: 0.64-0.78) and DOR of 5.0 (95% CI: 4.0-7.0) were pooled estimated from patient-based analyses. Subsequently, the combined positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLHR) were calculated with the results of 2.4 (95% CI: 1.9-3.0) and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.39-0.56), respectively. In addition, area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) reflecting prognostic accuracy was calculated to be 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.78). The results of subgroup analysis suggested that high NLR was an effective predictive factor of poor prognosis in HCC in mainland China as well as in the northern region.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that high baseline NLR is an excellent predictor of poor prognosis or relapse in patients with HCC, especially those from high-incidence East Asian populations.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails, identifier CRD42023440640.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Neutrophils; Liver Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Lymphocytes; Prognosis
PubMed: 37809083
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1211399 -
Acta Neuropathologica Communications Jul 2023Trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) loss has been implicated in worse prognoses for patients with meningiomas. However, there have been challenges in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) loss has been implicated in worse prognoses for patients with meningiomas. However, there have been challenges in measuring H3K27me3 loss, quantifying its impact, and interpreting its clinical utility. We conducted a systematic review across Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies examining H3K27me3 loss in meningioma. Clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) characteristics were aggregated. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to assess prevalence of H3K27me3 loss and meningioma recurrence risk. Study bias was characterized using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool and funnel plots. Nine publications met inclusion criteria with a total of 2376 meningioma cases. The prevalence of H3K27me3 loss was 16% (95% CI 0.09-0.27), with higher grade tumors associated with a significantly greater proportion of loss. H3K27me3 loss was more common in patients who were male, had recurrent meningiomas, or required adjuvant radiation therapy. Patients were 1.70 times more likely to have tumor recurrence with H3K27me3 loss (95% CI 1.35-2.15). The prevalence of H3K27me3 loss in WHO grade 2 and 3 meningiomas was found to be significantly greater in tissue samples less than five years old versus tissue of all ages and when a broader definition of IHC staining loss was applied. This analysis demonstrates that H3K27me3 loss significantly associates with more aggressive meningiomas. While differences in IHC and tumor tissue age have led to heterogeneity in studying H3K27me3 loss, a robust prognostic signal is present. Our findings suggest an opportunity to improve study design and standardize tissue processing to optimize clinical viability of this epigenetic marker.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Biomarkers, Tumor; Histones; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Prognosis
PubMed: 37491289
DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01615-9 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been identified as a reliable prognostic factor for cancer adjuvant therapy. However, its prognostic value in lung cancer patients...
BACKGROUND
Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been identified as a reliable prognostic factor for cancer adjuvant therapy. However, its prognostic value in lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains inconclusive.
METHOD
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed based on online databases before March 1th 2023. The correlation of PNI with overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) was determined using the hazard ratios (HRs) coupled with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Then, a retrospective cohort enrolling 123 ICI-treated lung cancer patients from two hospitals was utilized for validation and further investigation.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies enrolling 1,260 lung cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. The high PNI level was significantly correlated with better OS (HR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.86-3.54) and PFS (HR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.53-2.40) of the lung cancer patients. The subgroup analysis confirmed the results except for the PFS in patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.86-2.65). In the retrospective study, the high PNI level was identified as a favorable factor for OS and PFS not only in the whole cohort but also in the subgroups stratified by non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The high PNI was also correlated with better anti-cancer therapy response and performed better than body mass index and serum albumin level in OS prediction. Finally, we established a novel prognostic nomogram based on PNI and other clinical parameters. The nomogram was found to perform well in predicting the 1-year OS of ICI-treated lung cancer patients.
CONCLUSION
Both the meta-analysis and retrospective work demonstrate the PNI is a reliable prognostic factor for advanced lung cancer patients receiving ICI-based therapies. Our study further highlights the crucial role of nutrition assessment and intervention in cancer immunotherapy.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023424146.
PubMed: 37575320
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1213255 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Aug 2023Tumor budding (TB) has been investigated in several types of solid tumors. In oral cancer, studies show its association with survival. However, for its implementation in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Tumor budding (TB) has been investigated in several types of solid tumors. In oral cancer, studies show its association with survival. However, for its implementation in routine histological analyses, results with a high certainty of evidence are needed. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to explore the association between tumor budding and overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) in oral cancer.
METHODS
A search was performed in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Livivo, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. We adopted the following inclusion criteria: studies that evaluate tumor budding in oral cancer, that investigate survival, and presenting cohort design. We excluded reviews and studies without hazard-ratio (HR) data.
RESULTS
This systematic review included 22 studies and showed an association between TB and survival. High-grade TB is associated with a worse OS in univariate analysis (HR = 3.11; 95% CI: 2.06-4.69, p<0.01) and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.64-4.20, p<0.01); with a poorer DSS in univariate (HR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.94-3.03, p<0.01) and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.43-2.83, p< 0.01); and with a worse DFS in univariate (HR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.44-2.62, p<0.01) and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.31-3.53, p< 0.01). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results are robust, and no significant publication bias was identified in univariate analysis for DFS (Egger's test: p = 0.94). The certainty of the evidence was graded as low or very low.
CONCLUSION
Our findings indicate that TB is an independent prognostic factor of OS, DSS, and DFS in oral cancer. However, further studies are needed to increase the certainty of the evidence.
Topics: Humans; Mouth Neoplasms; Disease-Free Survival; Progression-Free Survival; Multivariate Analysis; PubMed
PubMed: 37642041
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.8.2565 -
United European Gastroenterology Journal Nov 2023Scoring systems for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) prediction should be used in conjunction with pre-test probability to establish post-test probability of SAP, but... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Scoring systems for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) prediction should be used in conjunction with pre-test probability to establish post-test probability of SAP, but data of this kind are lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive value of commonly employed scoring systems and their usefulness in modifying the pre-test probability of SAP.
METHODS
Following PRISMA statement and MOOSE checklists after PROSPERO registration, PubMed was searched from inception until September 2022. Retrospective, prospective, cross-sectional studies or clinical trials on patients with acute pancreatitis defined as Revised Atlanta Criteria, reporting rate of SAP and using at least one score among Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Examination (APACHE)-II, RANSON, and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) with their sensitivity and specificity were included. Random effects model meta-analyses were performed. Pre-test probability and likelihood ratio (LR) were combined to estimate post-test probability on Fagan nomograms. Pooled severity rate was used as pre-test probability of SAP and pooled sensitivity and specificity to calculate LR and generate post-test probability. A priori hypotheses for heterogeneity were developed and sensitivity analyses planned.
RESULTS
43 studies yielding 14,116 acute pancreatitis patients were included: 42 with BISAP, 30 with APACHE-II, 27 with Ranson, 8 with SIRS. Pooled pre-test probability of SAP ranged 16.6%-25.3%. The post-test probability of SAP with positive/negative score was 47%/6% for BISAP, 43%/5% for APACHE-II, 48%/5% for Ranson, 40%/12% for SIRS. In 18 studies comparing BISAP, APACHE-II, and Ranson in 6740 patients with pooled pre-test probability of SAP of 18.7%, post-test probability when scores were positive was 48% for BISAP, 46% for APACHE-II, 50% for Ranson. When scores were negative, post-test probability dropped to 7% for BISAP, 6% for Ranson, 5% for APACHE-II. Quality, design, and country of origin of the studies did not explain the observed high heterogeneity.
CONCLUSIONS
The most commonly used scoring systems to predict SAP perform poorly and do not aid in decision-making.
Topics: Humans; Pancreatitis; Severity of Illness Index; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Acute Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prognosis; Probability; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
PubMed: 37755341
DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.12464 -
Annals of Surgical Oncology May 2024Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has a complication rate of up to 60%. Prediction models could be helpful to preoperatively estimate which patients are at increased... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has a complication rate of up to 60%. Prediction models could be helpful to preoperatively estimate which patients are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the best prediction models for morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy and to identify commonalities among the models.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ , study ID CRD42022350846). Pubmed, Embase, and Clarivate Analytics/Web of Science Core Collection were searched for studies published between 2010 and August 2022. The Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Extracted data were tabulated and a narrative synthesis was performed.
RESULTS
Of the 15,011 articles identified, 22 studies were included using data from tens of thousands of patients. This systematic review included 33 different models, of which 18 models were newly developed. Many studies showed a high risk of bias. The prognostic accuracy of models differed between 0.51 and 0.85. For most models, variables are readily available. Two models for mortality and one model for pulmonary complications have the potential to be developed further.
CONCLUSIONS
The availability of rigorous prediction models is limited. Several models are promising but need to be further developed. Some models provide information about risk factors for the development of complications. Performance status is a potential modifiable risk factor. None are ready for clinical implementation.
Topics: Humans; Esophagectomy; Prognosis; Morbidity; Bias; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38383661
DOI: 10.1245/s10434-024-14997-4 -
Cancer Medicine Sep 2023Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging biomarker for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), giving hope for stratified treatment. As the completed studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging biomarker for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), giving hope for stratified treatment. As the completed studies have small sample sizes and different experimental methods, systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to explore their role in predicting pathological complete response (pCR), tumor recurrence, and prognosis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science were searched for potentially eligible studies published up to September 6, 2022. Pooled relative risk (RR) was calculated to predict pCR and tumor recurrence, and pooled hazard ratio (HR) was calculated to evaluate the prognosis of overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and metastasis-free survival (MRS).
RESULTS
Twelve studies published between 2018 and 2022 included 931 patients, and 2544 serum samples were eventually included in the meta-analysis. The pooled revealed that ctDNA-negative patients were more likely to have a pCR (RR = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-2.12). The pooled revealed that ctDNA-positive patients were at high risk of recurrence (RR = 3.37, 95% CI: 2.34-4.85) and had a poorer prognosis for OS (HR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.86-4.95), RFS (HR = 7.08, 95% CI: 4.12-12.14), and MRS (HR = 2.77, 95% CI: 2.01-3.83).
CONCLUSION
ctDNA may be useful for stratifying treatment and assessing prognosis in patients with LARC, but its clinical application still needs to be confirmed in a prospective multicenter study with large samples.
Topics: Humans; Circulating Tumor DNA; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Rectal Neoplasms; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37553845
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6434 -
Nutrition, Metabolism, and... Aug 2023The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a tool for assessing the risk of malnutrition (undernutrition) that can be calculated from albumin concentration,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a tool for assessing the risk of malnutrition (undernutrition) that can be calculated from albumin concentration, total peripheral lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol concentration. CONUT score has been proposed as a promising prognostic marker in several clinical settings; however, a consensus on its prognostic value in patients with stroke is lacking. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between CONUT score and clinical outcomes in patients with stroke based on all current available studies.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Systematic research on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to February 2023 was performed on the association between CONUT score and clinical outcomes in patients with stroke. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool. Pooled effect estimation was calculated by a random-effect model. Through the initial literature search, 15 studies (all high-quality) including 16 929 patients were found to be eligible and analysed in the meta-analysis. A significant risk of malnutrition (in most studies defined by a CONUT score ≥5) was directly associated with mortality, higher risk of poor functional outcome according to the modified Rankin Scale and total infection development. Evidence was consistent for acute ischaemic stroke and preliminary for acute haemorrhagic stroke.
CONCLUSION
CONUT score is an independent prognostic indicator, and it is associated with major disability and infection development during hospitalisation.
PROSPERO ID
CRD42022306560.
Topics: Humans; Nutritional Status; Brain Ischemia; Stroke; Malnutrition; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Nutrition Assessment
PubMed: 37336716
DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.05.012