Matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression and survival of patients with osteosarcoma: a meta-analysis

A number of studies investigated the impact of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) expression on the survival of patients with osteosarcoma, but no consistent results were reported. To derive a more precise estimate of the prognostic role of MMP2 expression in patients with osteosarcoma, we systematically reviewed the published studies and carried out a meta-analysis. Cohort studies assessing the prognostic role of MMP2 expression in patients with osteosarcoma were included. Pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) was used to assess the prognostic role of MMP2 expression. Five cohort studies were eligible in the meta-analysis. Overall, high MMP2 expression was associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with osteosarcoma during the follow-up (fixed effects RR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.66-2.75, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis suggested that the pooled RR was stable and omitting a single study did not change the significance of the pooled RR. There was some possibility of publication bias risk in the meta-analysis. In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that osteosarcoma patients with high MMP2 expression have poorer prognosis compared with those with low MMP2 expression.