Abstract
Background We conducted a meta-analysis, in order to appraise the effect of microvessel density (MVD) on the survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma. Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A systematic literature search in electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) was performed. Fixed Effects or Random Effects model was used, based on the Cochran Q test. Results In total 9 studies (903 patients) were included. Pooled HR for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 2.62 (95% CI: 0.71–9.60, p = 0.15) and 2.64 (95% CI: 0.82–8.47, p = 0.10), respectively. Odds ratios of overall survival between high and low MVD groups, at 12 (1.45, 95% CI: 0.16–13.24), 36 (2.93, 95% CI: 0.63–13.59), and 60 (4.09, 95% CI: 0.85–19.77) months did not reach statistical significance. Significant superiority of low MVD group, in terms of DFS, at all time intervals (OR: 4.69, p < 0.0001; OR: 2.18, p = 0.004; OR: 7.46, p = 0.01, resp.) was documented. Discussion MVD does not affect the HR of OS and DFS. A strong correlation with DFS rates at 12, 36, and 60 months was recorded.
Highlights
IntroductionThe overall incidence of cutaneous melanoma has an increasing trend over the past decades, with variations being reported between different geographic areas, populations, and genders [2,3,4,5]
Cutaneous melanoma represents a small proportion of all skin cancers, it is directly associated with the majority of skin cancer-related deaths [1]
Our study showed that there was no significant effect of the microvessel density (MVD) on the hazard ratios of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR: 2.62, p = 0.15, and Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.64, p = 0.1, resp.)
Summary
The overall incidence of cutaneous melanoma has an increasing trend over the past decades, with variations being reported between different geographic areas, populations, and genders [2,3,4,5]. We conducted a meta-analysis, in order to appraise the effect of microvessel density (MVD) on the survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Odds ratios of overall survival between high and low MVD groups, at 12 (1.45, 95% CI: 0.16–13.24), 36 (2.93, 95% CI: 0.63–13.59), and 60 (4.09, 95% CI: 0.85–19.77) months did not reach statistical significance. Significant superiority of low MVD group, in terms of DFS, at all time intervals (OR: 4.69, p < 0.0001; OR: 2.18, p = 0.004; OR: 7.46, p = 0.01, resp.) was documented. A strong correlation with DFS rates at 12, 36, and 60 months was recorded
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