Abstract
High c-Met expression has been observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, its clinicopathological impact remains controversial. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the pathologic and prognostic impacts of c-Met overexpression in patients with HNSCC. A systematic computerized search of the electronic databases was carried out. From 16 studies, 1,948 patients with HNSCC were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with HNSCCs showing low c-Met expression, tumors with high c-Met expression were significantly associated with higher rate of lymph node metastasis (odds ratio = 3.26, 95% CI: 2.27–4.69, P < 0.00001) and higher T stage (odds ratio = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03–1.71, P = 0.03). In addition, patients with c-Met-high HNSCC showed significantly worse disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.04–2.14, P = 0.03) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.29–2.60, P = 0.0007) than those with c-Met-low tumor. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates that high c-Met expression is significantly associated with worse pathological features and prognosis, indicating c-Met overexpression is an adverse prognostic marker for patients with HNSCC.
Highlights
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are classified as epithelial neoplasms of the oral cavity, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx
Compared with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) showing low c-Met expression, tumors with high c-Met expression were significantly associated with higher rate of lymph node metastasis and higher T stage
The results show that c-Met overexpression significantly correlated with poor pathological features and prognosis
Summary
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are classified as epithelial neoplasms of the oral cavity (including tongue and tonsils), nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. HNCs have been increasing worldwide, comprising one of the most common groups of cancer [1,2,3]. Despite the heterogeneity both in tumor location and genetic aberrations, histologically 90% of HNCs are squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). About two-thirds of patients with HNSCC are presented with advanced diseases at the time of diagnosis. Treatments of patients with advanced HNSCC usually involve the multitude of therapeutic modalities such as surgical resection, radiation, or concurrent chemoradiation. Initial treatments are generally intended to give the chance to cure for patients with advanced HNSCC, these tumors are characterized by frequent recurrence or metastasis as well as resistance to the conventional chemoradiotherapy. Patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC have shown dismal outcomes [4]
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