Prognostic Value of Microvessel Density in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

Yanbo Dong,Liangfa Liu,Yukun Liu,Guangzhi Ma,Rudy Foddis,Siyu Lu

doi:10.1155/2020/8842795

Abstract

The prognostic value of microvessel density (MVD) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains disputable. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively determine the prognostic value of MVD in HNSCC. Relevant literatures were identified using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of MVD in HNSCC patients and different subgroups. A total of 14 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) of 11 studies was 1.663 (1.236-2.237, P = 0.001), and the pooled HR and 95% CI for progression-free survival (PFS) of 7 studies was 2.069 (1.281-3.343, P = 0.003). Subgroup analyses were also performed on different issues, such as regional distribution of patients, age, tumor location, antibody, and treatment strategy. To conclude, high MVD is associated with worse OS and PFS in patients with HNSCC.

Highlights

As the sixth leading malignancy worldwide, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) had an annual incidence of more than 600,000 cases [1]
The increase was attributed to advances in treatment, and human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNSCC had a favorable prognosis
The prognostic value of microvessel density (MVD) in HNSCC was reported in multiple studies, and many suggested MVD a crucial predictive factor in tumor progression and metastasis [17, 19], whereas some researchers did not reach to any conclusive result indicating MVD’s prognostic value for HNSCC [20, 21]. Due to those inconsistent results above, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available literature relating MVD to comprehensively determine the prognostic value of MVD among HNSCC patients

Summary

Introduction

As the sixth leading malignancy worldwide, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) had an annual incidence of more than 600,000 cases [1]. It encompasses cancers of oral cavity, pharynx and larynx, and upper aerodigestive tract [2]. Despite considerable advancements in diagnostic and treatment practices that have been made, the 5-year overall survival rate of HNSCC still remains unsatisfactory [3]. 5-year survival of HNSCC patients in the USA was approximately 65.0%, significantly increasing for all primary sites over the past 20 years from 54.7% in 1992 to 1996, to 65.9% in 2002 to 2006 [8]. The increase was attributed to advances in treatment, and HPV-positive HNSCC had a favorable prognosis

Objectives

Methods

Results