Abstract
BackgroundAberrations in the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) have been linked to a number of malignancies. Here, we characterized the relationship between FOXC2 and cancer progression by conducting a meta-analysis of studies that reported the frequency of FOXC2 expression in tumors of different stages (T1, T2, T3, T4).MethodsRelevant articles were retrieved from the Medline database by searching for the terms “FOXC2” and “cancer”; then, the retrieved articles were reviewed individually, and studies that were of multivariate cohort design, evaluated FOXC2 expression via immunohistochemical staining, and assessed the relationship between FOXC2 expression and cancer T-stage were included in our meta-analysis.ResultsOur search terms identified 139 studies, 9 of which met all inclusion criteria. A total of 1433 tumor samples were evaluated in the 9 studies; 596 samples were from early-stage (T1-T2) tumors, and 838 were from late-stage (T3-T4) tumors. FOXC2 was expressed in 46.0% of all samples, in 32.4% of early-stage tumor samples, and in 55.6% of late-stage tumor samples. When calculated relative to early-stage samples, the pooled risk for FOXC2 expression in late-stage samples was 1.367 (95% CI = 1.103–1.695, p = 0.004).ConclusionThe results from our meta-analysis of 9 studies indicate that FOXC2 is 36.7% more likely to be expressed in late-stage tumors than in early-stage tumors.
Highlights
Cancer can arise via the accumulation of genetic mutations, which cause the cancer cells to proliferate without restriction, leading to tumor growth and metastasis [1]; the molecular and genetic cascades involved in tumor formation and cancer progression are largely unknown
The results from our meta-analysis of 9 studies indicate that forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) is 36.7% more likely to be expressed in late-stage tumors than in early-stage tumors
The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between FOXC2 expression and cancer progression by conducting a meta-analysis of studies that reported the frequency of FOXC2 expression in www.oncotarget.com tumors of different stages (T1, T2, T3, T4) [2], and calculating the pooled relative risk of FOXC2 expression in stage T1-T2 and in stage T3-T4 tumors
Summary
Cancer can arise via the accumulation of genetic mutations, which cause the cancer cells to proliferate without restriction, leading to tumor growth and metastasis [1]; the molecular and genetic cascades involved in tumor formation and cancer progression are largely unknown. The forkhead box (FOX) family of transcription factors includes 17 subfamilies, from FOXA to FOXR, that control a wide range of biological processes such as cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and longevity [1]. The goal of this study was to characterize the relationship between FOXC2 expression and cancer progression by conducting a meta-analysis of studies that reported the frequency of FOXC2 expression in www.oncotarget.com tumors of different stages (T1, T2, T3, T4) [2], and calculating the pooled relative risk of FOXC2 expression in stage T1-T2 (early) and in stage T3-T4 (late) tumors. We characterized the relationship between FOXC2 and cancer progression by conducting a metaanalysis of studies that reported the frequency of FOXC2 expression in tumors of different stages (T1, T2, T3, T4)
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.
