Tumor associated tissue eosinophilia in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) still lacks the valid prognosticator for survival. Tumor associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) have been widely investigated in the literature but still there is no consensus viewpoint on its role as prognostic marker. With this view in mind, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the overall risk of elevated TATE and survival in OSCC was conducted. MethodologyA systematic literature search conducted to identify studies that have evaluated TATE in OSCC. Overall survival (OS), Disease Free Survival (DFS) Hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval) was extracted. HR was extrapolated if direct HR was not given in publication. Studies were pooled and combined hazard ratios (HRs) of High TATE for OS and DFS were calculated. Results6 out of 874 articles were found eligible for systematic review and meta-analysis. High TATE was predictor of OS (pooled HR 0.45 (95% CI, 030–0.65, P ​< ​0.0001)) and DFS (pooled HR 2.33 (95% CI, 0.74–7.37)) in OSCC patients. ConclusionHigh TATE positively predicts OS and DFS in OSCC and thus can be regarded as an important survival prognosticator. Standardization of counting and reporting methodology for TATE count is recommended on future cohort studies.