LncRNAs act as prognostic biomarkers in bladder carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Increasing studies have shown that different kinds of lncRNAs play key role in the development of multiple carcinomas. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate an association between the expression level of lncRNAs and the prognosis of bladder cancer (death or other clinical outcomes).

A systematic literature search was performed by using PubMed. Twenty-four studies were included in the meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, there are 1652 independent participants.

The result showed that high expression levels of lncRNAs were demonstrated to be associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.33, 95%CI: 1.51-2.39, p < 0.01) in bladder carcinoma, but there was no significant correlation between lncRNAs level and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (pooled HR = 1.57, 95%CI 0.69-3.56, p = 0.284), and progression-free survival (PFS) (pooled HR = 1.37, 95%CI 0.79-2.38, p = 0.269). Additionally, increased lncRNAs expression was found to be moderately correlated with tumor stage and progression (II/III/IV vs. I, OR = 3.20, 95%CI: 1.72-5.98, p < 0.001). In addition, elevated lncRNAs expression predicted lymph node metastasis (LNM) significantly (pooled OR = 2.29, 95 % CI 1.33-3.95, p < 0.01). No significant heterogeneity was observed among studies except lymph node metastasis.

In conclusion, high expression levels of lncRNAs were demonstrated to be associated with poor OS and positive LNM, and lncRNAs might be potential prognostic markers in bladder cancer.