Long non-coding RNA AFAP1-AS1 is a novel biomarker in various cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the literature and GEO datasets.

Yumin Wang,Yong Li,Can Guo,Yuchen He,Yajun Du,Xiaoling Li,Wei Xiong,Hang Zhou,Ruoyu Zhou,Yaxian Zhong,Yongzhen Mo,Zeyu Wu,Guiyuan Li,Xiang Yang,Xue Yang,Zhaoyang Zeng

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.21830

Abstract

BackgroundGrowing evidence indicates that AFAP1-AS1 plays an important role in various cancers, suggesting that it might be a potential cancer biomarker.Materials and MethodsA meta-analysis was performed using microarray data obtained via the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 platform (found in the GEO database) and data obtained through a systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI (confidence interval) were used to judge the value of biomarkers.ResultsA total of 30 studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising a total of 3573 patients. AFAP1-AS1 was significantly linked with overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12–2.23) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.68–3.19). We found that AFAP1-AS1 was a risk factor in the prognoses of lung cancer (pooled HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.01–2.34), digestive system cancer (pooled HR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.45–2.41) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HR: 11.82; 95% CI: 5.09–27.46). AFAP1-AS1 was also a risk factor for RFS in breast cancer (pooled HR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.69–4.98), as well as TNM stage in both esophageal cancer (pooled OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.01–3.57) and colorectal cancer (OR = 6.72; 95% CI: 1.92–23.58). AFAP1-AS1 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in clear cell carcinoma (OR = 5.04; 95% CI: 2.36–10.78) and distant metastasis in pancreatic cancer (OR = 11.64; 95% CI: 2.13–63.78).ConclusionsAFAP1-AS1 can serve as a novel molecular marker predicting tumor progression, patient prognosis and lymph node metastasis in different types of cancers.

Highlights

Cancers are a great challenge in the field of human health
actin filament associated protein 1 (AFAP1)-AS1 was significantly linked with overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–2.23) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.68–3.19)
We found that AFAP1-AS1 was a risk factor in the prognoses of lung cancer, digestive system cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HR: 11.82; 95% CI: 5.09–27.46)

Summary

Introduction

Cancers are a great challenge in the field of human health. Epidemiological data show that the global incidence rate for cancer amounts to approximately 14,000,000 per year and that mortality exceeds 8,200,000[1, 2]. Cancers are a great challenge in the field of human health. Epidemiological data show that the global incidence rate for cancer amounts to approximately 14,000,000 per year and that mortality exceeds 8,200,000. Detection and diagnosis are critical for improving survival time and quality of life [3]. Current clinical findings are mainly based on imaging analyses and are restricted by factors such as resolution. Tumors often cannot be diagnosed early [4, 5]. Owing to their inherent sensitivity, tumor markers (especially www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget molecular biomarkers) have revealed great potential in the early diagnosis of malignant tumors [6]. AFAP1-AS1 plays an important role in various cancers, suggesting that it might be a potential cancer biomarker

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Results

Conclusion