Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as promising prognostic biomarkers in an expanding list of malignant neoplasms. Here, we sought to investigate the strength of associations between lncRNA signatures and clinical outcomes in osteosarcoma. We conducted a systematic search of the online databases from inception to July 2016. Hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the primary endpoints of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) or event-free survival (EFS) were extracted and meta-analyzed. Our results manifested that altered lncRNAs expression was markedly associated with worse OS (univariate analysis: HR = 3.20, 95% CI: 2.42-4.24, P = 0.000; multivariate analysis: HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.92-3.69, P = 0.000), PFS (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.32-3.18, P = 0.001) and EFS (HR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.64-11.66, P = 0.003) times among osteosarcoma patients. In the pooled analyses stratified by clinicopathological features, levels of lncRNAs were closely correlated with tumor size (pooled P = 0.001), tumor stage (pooled P = 0.003), and distant metastasis (pooled P = 0.002) in osteosarcoma. The results obtained in our work suggest that altered lncRNA signatures predict unfavorable clinical outcomes and are acceptable to be potential prognostic biomarkers in forecasting prognosis of osteosarcoma.
Highlights
Osteosarcoma represents 55% of all specified malignant bone cancers in adolescences under the age of twenty [1]
Hazard ratios (HRs): hazard ratios; CI: confidence intervals. *indicates that data were obtained by using a random-effect model in the metaanalysis
It is urgent to identify and develop novel markers or targets to aid in diagnosis, treatment, as well as prognosis of osteosarcoma
Summary
Osteosarcoma represents 55% of all specified malignant bone cancers in adolescences under the age of twenty [1]. More than 20% of the young-onset osteosarcoma patients present with distant metastases at diagnosis, and 40% cases in advanced stages progress to metastasis during therapy [2]. Despite the developments of novel treatment strategies, patients suffered from osteosarcoma still evolve with a dissatisfying prognosis. It is reported that the 5-year survival rate of osteosarcoma is lower than 62% in patients with localized disease, yet in those with recurrent or metastatic status, this rate will be attenuated to about 20% [1,3]. There is a critical need to find and develop novel prognostic biomarkers in monitoring progression and survival of osteosarcoma in clinic.
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