Clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 in cancer: A systematic review study and meta-analysis

Aberrant expression of lncRNAs in cancer cells can impact their key phenotypes. We aimed to summarize available evidence on clinicopathological and prognostic value of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 in cancer.

A systematic search was performed on Medline and Embase databases using relevant key terms covering lncRNA TPT1-AS1, cancer, and clinical outcomes. The effect size estimates and their 95 % confidence interval (CI) were pooled using random-effects models. Meta- analyses were conducted using STATA 16.0 software.

Seventeen articles met our eligibility criteria. Tumor tissue compared to normal tissue showed increased level of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 expression (pooled standardized mean difference (95 % CI): 0.65 (0.52-0.79)). Overexpression of this lncRNA was a significant predictor for poor prognosis (Pooled log-rank test P-value < 0.001); in patients with high-level of lncRNA TPT1-AS1, the risk of death at five years was 1.40 times greater than their counterparts. The pooled Odds ratios for association lncRNA TPT1-AS1 with tumor stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were 1.94 (95 % CI: 0.90-4.19, 8 studies, I² = 79.6 %), 2.33 (95 % CI: 1.31-4.14, 5 studies, I² = 40.0 %), and 1.89 (95 % CI: 1.08-3.36, 5 studies, I² = 61.7 %), respectively. Regarding the identified potential mechanisms, lncRNA TPT1-AS1 plays a role in cancer growth mainly by sponging miRNAs and regulating their downstream targets or controlling the expression of key cell cycle regulators.

In cancer patients, elevated expression of lncRNA TPT1-AS1 might be associated with a shorter Overall Survival, advanced stages, larger tumor size, and lymph node metastasis.