Diagnostic value of HOX transcript antisense RNA for cancer detection: a meta-analysis

Aim: Numerous studies have investigated the diagnostic role of long noncoding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA in cancers, but its diagnostic efficacy is inconsistent. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases are used to retrieve relevant studies. The bivariate effect model was used to compute the combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: A total of 13 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were: 0.77, 0.83, 4.7, 0.28, 17 and 0.87, respectively. Deeks' funnel plot test (p = 0.103) indicated no publication bias. Conclusion: Long noncoding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA may be a useful biomarker for cancer detection.