Long noncoding RNA PVT1, a novel promising biomarker to predict lymph node metastasis and prognosis: a meta-analysis

Numerous studies have found that the expression levels of long noncoding RNA PVT1 (lncRNA PVT1) were elevated in cancerous tissue, which was significantly higher than those in adjacent noncancerous tissues or corresponding normal tissues. Overexpression of lncRNA PVT1 was correlated with lymph node metastasis and a poor prognosis in various cancers.

This quantitative meta-analysis collected all relevant articles and explored the association of lncRNA PVT1 expression levels with lymph node metastasis and prognosis. The systematic search was conducted through multiple electronic databases (up to December 1, 2015). The meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan5.3 software and Stata SE12.0.

A total of 939 patients with cancer from 10 studies were included. The Meta-analysis results showed that cancer patients with high PVT1 have a strong trend for LNM (OR=2.05, 95%CI:0.97-4.30, P=0.06, random-effects model). Moreover, we found that cancer patients with high PVT1 expression had a poorer overall survival (HR=2.07, 95%CI:1.40-2.74, P=0.000, fixed-effects model), a shorter recurrence-free survival (HR=1.70, 95%CI:1.02-2.39, P=0.000, fixed-effects model), and a worse disease-free survival (HR:2.10, 95%CI:0.96-3.23, P=0.000, fixed-effects model).

PVT-1 may serve as a novel molecular marker for lymph node metastasis and prognosis.