Abstract
The prognostic role of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) downregulation in ovarian cancer has been assessed for years while the results remain inconclusive. The aim of our study was to assess this issue. Eligible studies were identified through searches of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Database. In total, 1562 patients from 17 studies were included to assess the association between E-cadherin expression and overall survival/progression-free survival and clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian cancer patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated to estimate the effect. The quality of 17 studies was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We also performed subgroup analysis, publication bias and sensitivity analysis in this meta-analysis. The results showed that negative E-cadherin expression significantly predicted poor overall survival of ovarian cancer patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.50–2.40). However, negative E-cadherin was not associated with poor progression-free survival (HR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.86–1.64). Moreover, Negative E-cadherin expression was distinctly associated with FIGO stage (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.31–0.57), tumor grade (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.34–0.67), metastasis (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.07–0.26) and recurrence (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.29–0.79). This meta-analysis revealed that negative E-cadherin expression might be a predicative factor of poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death among gynecologic malignant tumors and significantly impacts the life and health of women worldwide [1]
The results showed that negative E-cadherin expression significantly predicted poor overall survival of ovarian cancer patients (HR = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.50–2.40)
We conducted a search for articles discussing E-cadherin expression and OC patient prognosis, and 167 articles were considered relevant after removal of duplicates
Summary
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death among gynecologic malignant tumors and significantly impacts the life and health of women worldwide [1]. 14,240 women will die from ovarian cancer, representing 5% of all cancer deaths among American women [2]. The prognosis of ovarian cancer is very poor. CA125 [4], HE4 [5] and several clinicopathological features, including International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget stage (FIGO), tumor grade, and distant metastasis, have been recognized as prognostic factors for patients with ovarian cancer [6, 7]. Due to the biological complexity of ovarian cancer, patients with staged ovarian cancer as well as those treated with the same therapies may exhibit significantly different outcomes. It is necessary to identify better prognostic factors to offer timely and effective treatments for OC patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
