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The clinical significance of snail protein expression in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis
Xiaoya Chen1, Jinjun Li2, Ling Hu3
1Medical College, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
Background:
Snail is a typical transcription factor that could induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression. There are some related reports about the clinical significance of snail protein expression in gastric cancer. However, the published results were not completely consistent. This study was aimed to investigate snail expression and clinical significance in gastric cancer.
Results:
A systematic review of PubMed, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang database before March 2015 was conducted. We established an inclusion criterion according to subjects, method of detection, and results evaluation of snail protein. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan4.2 software. And merged odds ratio (OR) and 95 % CI (95 % confidence interval) were calculated. Also, forest plots and funnel plot were used to assess the potential of publication bias. A total of 10 studies were recruited. The meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the positive rate of snail protein expression. OR and 95 % CI for different groups were listed below: (1) gastric cancer and para-carcinoma tissue [OR = 6.15, 95 % CI (4.70, 8.05)]; (2) gastric cancer and normal gastric tissue [OR = 17.00, 95 % CI (10.08, 28.67)]; (3) non-lymph node metastasis and lymph node metastasis [OR = 0.40, 95 % CI (0.18, 0.93)]; (4) poor differentiated cancer, highly differentiated cancer, and moderate cancer [OR = 3.34, 95 % CI (2.22, 5.03)]; (5) clinical stage TI + TII and stage TIII + TIV [OR = 0.38, 95 % CI (0.23, 0.60)]; (6) superficial muscularis and deep muscularis [OR = 0.18, 95 % CI (0.11, 0.31)].
Conclusions:
Our results indicated that the increase of snail protein expression may play an important role in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of gastric cancer. And this result might provide instruction for the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of gastric cancer.
Insights
Snail protein expression is elevated in gastric cancer, correlating with increased cancer progression and metastasis. This finding offers insights into gastric cancer diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Snail is a transcription factor known to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promote cancer progression.
- Previous studies on the clinical significance of snail protein expression in gastric cancer have yielded inconsistent results.
- This study aimed to clarify the role and clinical significance of snail expression in gastric cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of snail protein in gastric cancer.
- To evaluate the clinical significance of snail protein expression in relation to various gastric cancer parameters.
- To provide a comprehensive analysis of snail's role in gastric cancer development and progression.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies published before March 2015.
- Databases searched included PubMed, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang.
- Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan4.2 software, calculating pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was assessed using forest and funnel plots.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis of 10 studies revealed significantly higher snail protein expression in gastric cancer compared to para-carcinoma and normal gastric tissues (OR=6.15, OR=17.00).
- Increased snail expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (OR=0.40), poor differentiation (OR=3.34), advanced clinical stages (TIII+TIV, OR=0.38), and deeper muscle invasion (OR=0.18).
- The results indicate a strong correlation between snail protein expression and key indicators of gastric cancer aggressiveness.
Conclusions:
- Elevated snail protein expression is implicated in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of gastric cancer.
- These findings suggest that snail protein may serve as a valuable biomarker for gastric cancer diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis.
- Further research into snail-targeted therapies could offer new treatment strategies for gastric cancer patients.
