Abstract
Background The reliability of MUC2 as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. This study evaluated the association between MUC2 expression levels in CRC tissues and prognosis. Methods The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc), Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched to identify studies exploring the relationship between MUC2 expression in CRC tissues and overall survival (OS). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the associations between MUC2 expression levels and prognosis and MUC2 expression levels and CRC clinicopathological characteristics, respectively. Results The meta-analysis included 11 studies (2619 patients). Low MUC2 expression level was significantly associated with poor OS (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.43–1.94; P < 0.00001) and disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.21–2.12; P = 0.001) in patients with CRC. Low MUC2 expression level was associated with advanced TNM stage (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.26–1.60; P < 0.00001), lymph node metastasis (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25–1.60; P < 0.00001), lymphatic invasion (RR,1.64; 95% CI, 1.26–2.12; P = 0.0002), rectal tumor site (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09–1.46; P = 0.001), and large tumor size (RR,1.32; 95% CI, 1.02–1.70; P = 0.03). There were no associations between low MUC2 expression level and gender, histological grade, depth of invasion, and distant metastasis. Conclusion The low levels of MUC2 in CRC tissues are poor prognostic factor independent of stage or other well-recognized markers of later-stage disease. Large well-designed cohort studies are required to validate MUC2 as a biomarker for poor prognosis in CRC.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with substantial morbidity and is ranked the third leading cause of cancerrelated mortality in the world [1, 2]
Evidence suggests that colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues express low levels of MUC2 and that MUC2 plays a role in the development and progression of CRC
A previous meta-analysis [53] investigated the association between MUC2 expression and CRC clinicopathological characteristics, to the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of MUC2 expression in CRC
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with substantial morbidity and is ranked the third leading cause of cancerrelated mortality in the world [1, 2]. CRC incidence and mortality rates are rising rapidly in many low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluated the association between MUC2 expression levels in CRC tissues and prognosis. Low MUC2 expression level was significantly associated with poor OS (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.43–1.94; P < 0 00001) and disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.21–2.12; P = 0 001) in patients with CRC. The low levels of MUC2 in CRC tissues are poor prognostic factor independent of stage or other well-recognized markers of later-stage disease. Large well-designed cohort studies are required to validate MUC2 as a biomarker for poor prognosis in CRC
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
