Prognostic value of periostin in multiple solid cancers: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Periostin (POSTN) expression is implicated in various solid cancers.
• A systematic review is needed to consolidate the prognostic significance of POSTN in solid tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic value of POSTN in solid cancers.
• To assess the association between POSTN expression and patient survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
• Meta-analysis of 10 studies involving 993 cancer patients.
• Calculation of hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Main Results:

• POSTN overexpression correlated with significantly poorer overall survival (HR = 2.35) and disease-free survival (HR = 2.70).
• POSTN expression was higher in cancer tissues than normal tissues (OR = 7.44).
• Subgroup analyses revealed associations between POSTN and microvascular invasion (OR = 5.09), tumor differentiation (OR = 2.03), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.05).

Conclusions:

• POSTN is a credible prognostic biomarker for solid cancers.
• POSTN may serve as a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment.