Abstract
BackgroundEpithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression has been reported in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa). However, the role of EpCAM expression remains inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of EpCAM expression in PCa.MethodsPublications were searched online using electronic databases. The available data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.ResultsWe identified seven studies in which immunohistochemistry was used and that included 871 prostatic tissue samples. EpCAM expression was significantly higher in PCa samples than in benign and normal tissue samples (OR = 77.93, P = 0.002; OR = 161.61, P < 0.001; respectively). No correlation of EpCAM overexpression with pT stage and lymph node metastasis was observed; however, EpCAM overexpression showed a significant correlation with Gleason score (OR = 0.48, P = 0.012) and bone metastasis (OR = 145.80, P < 0.001). Furthermore, TCGA data showed that EpCAM overexpression was not closely correlated with age, pT stage, lymph node metastasis, number of lymph node, prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, biochemical recurrence, and overall survival. Based on multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, a significant correlation was observed between EpCAM overexpression and 5-year worse biochemical recurrence free-survival.ConclusionsEpCAM overexpression may be correlated with the development of bone metastasis and worse biochemical recurrence free-survival of PCa. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.
Highlights
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression has been reported in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa)
Association between EpCAM expression and PCa risk from meta-analysis 175 PCa tissue samples were compared with 170 benign prostatic tissue samples and 33 PCa tissue samples were compared with 30 normal prostatic tissue samples (Table 2)
The results showed that EpCAM expression in PCa was significantly higher than in benign and normal tissue samples (OR = 77.93, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 4.90–1238.45, P = 0.002; odds ratios (ORs) = 161.61, 95% CI = 17.65–1479.55, P < 0.001; respectively; Fig. 2)
Summary
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expression has been reported in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer (PCa). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of EpCAM expression in PCa. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second commonest malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men [1]. The presence of CSCs in PCa may partially play a role in cancer progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance [13, 14]. Recent studies demonstrated that high EpCAM expression may predict poor clinical outcome in breast cancer [19], ovarian carcinoma [20], and hepatocellular carcinoma [21]. Some studies reported that EpCAM was frequently expressed and associated with worse prognosis of patients with PCa [22, 23]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
