[Expression of human telomerase in lung cancer:A meta-analysis of diagnostic test]

To systematically evaluate the validity of telomerase activity as a tumor marker of lung cancer and measure the correlation of telomerase activity and lung cancer.

The meta-analysis combined of data from 28 selected literatures was performed to calculate the effect magnitude of combined odds ratio ( OR) and fixed effect model ( Flessi) or random effect model (D-L) for estimating the tumor marker's sensitivity, specificity and its validity.

Twenty-eight studies were identified. A heterogeneity test was highly significant ( P< 0. 05) . The combined OR was 66. 43 ( 95%CI, 38. 48 to 104. 53) by D-L. After exclusion of three reports, the data was homogeneous totaling 1 361 in lung cancer group and 1 321 in control group. The sensitivity ( 0. 798 7) and specificity ( 0. 934 1) was obtained by Fleiss model.

The meta-analysis shows that telomerase is a rather novel diagnostic tumor marker. These results will provide theoretical basis for bringing telomerase activity detection into lung cancer screening plan.