Abstract
BackgroundIt is critical to develop a reliable and cost-effective prognostic tool for colorectal cancer (CRC) stratification and treatment optimization. Tumor–stroma ratio (TSR) may be a promising indicator of poor prognosis in CRC patients. As a result, we conducted a systematic review on the predictive value of TSR in CRC.MethodsThis study was carried out according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline. An electronic search was completed using commonly used databases PubMed, CENTRAL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google scholar till the last search up to May 30, 2021. STATA version 13 was used to analyze the data.ResultsA total of 13 studies [(12 for disease-free survival (DFS) and nine studies for overall survival (OS)] involving 4,857 patients met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review in the present study. In individuals with stage II CRC, stage III CRC, or mixed stage CRC, we observed a significantly higher pooled hazard ratio (HR) in those with a low TSR/greater stromal content (HR, 1.54; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.88), (HR, 1.90; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.45), and (HR, 1.70; 95% CI: 1.45 to 1.95), respectively, for predicting DFS. We found that a low TSR ratio had a statistically significant predictive relevance for stage II (HR, 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.77) and mixed stages of CRC (HR, 1.65; 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.0) for outcome OS.ConclusionIn patients with CRC, low TSR was found to be a prognostic factor for a worse prognosis (DFS and OS).
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and is associated with a high mortality rate [1]
In individuals with stage II CRC, stage III CRC, or mixed stage CRC, we observed a significantly higher pooled hazard ratio (HR) in those with a low tumor–stroma ratio (TSR)/ greater stromal content (HR, 1.54; 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.88), (HR, 1.90; 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.45), and (HR, 1.70; 95% CI: 1.45 to 1.95), respectively, for predicting disease-free survival (DFS)
We found that a low TSR ratio had a statistically significant predictive relevance for stage II (HR, 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.77) and mixed stages of CRC (HR, 1.65; 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.0) for outcome overall survival (OS)
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and is associated with a high mortality rate [1]. It is critical to determine whether the early assessment of TSR and early stratification of treatment can enhance survival in selected patients. Additional biomarkers based on tumor cell features like shape, molecular pathways, genetic alterations, cell of origin and gene expression, and tumor cell immune response have been proposed. Their disadvantage is the high cost associated with genetic and transcriptome data compared with conventional pathological examination using microscopy, which is quick, inexpensive, and reliable. It is critical to develop a reliable and cost-effective prognostic tool for colorectal cancer (CRC) stratification and treatment optimization. Tumor–stroma ratio (TSR) may be a promising indicator of poor prognosis in CRC patients. We conducted a systematic review on the predictive value of TSR in CRC
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