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Prognostic value of transforming growth factor-beta in patients with colorectal cancer who undergo surgery: a
Xin-Lin Chen1, Zhuo-Qun Chen2, Shui-Lian Zhu2
1School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Background:
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is associated with a higher incidence of distant metastasis and decreased survival. Whether TGF-β can be used as a prognostic indicator of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial.
Methods:
The Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched from their inception to March 2016. The studies that focused on TGF-β as a prognostic factor in patients with CRC were included in this analysis. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analysed separately. A meta-analysis was performed, and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
Results:
Twelve studies were included in the analysis, of which 8 were used for OS and 7 for DFS. In all, 1622 patients with CRC undergoing surgery were included. Combined HRs suggested that high expression of TGF-β had a favourable impact on OS (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.10-2.59) and DFS (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.19) in CRC patients. For OS, the combined HRs of Asian studies and Western studies were 1.50 (95% CI: 0.61-3.68) and 1.80 (95% CI: 1.33-2.45), respectively. For DFS, the combined HRs of Asian studies and Western studies were 1.42 (95% CI: 0.61-3.31) and 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03-1.20), respectively.
Conclusions:
This meta-analysis demonstrates that TGF-β can be used as a prognostic biomarker for CRC patients undergoing surgery, especially for CRC patients from Western countries.
