Open AccessStromal Myofibroblasts Are Associated with Poor Prognosis in Solid Cancers: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies
Author(s) -
Liu Liu,
Lin Liu,
Han Yao,
Zhi Zhu,
Zhong Liang Ning,
Qiang Huang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0159947
Subject(s) - stromal cell , myofibroblast , odds ratio , medicine , meta analysis , confidence interval , oncology , pathology , hazard ratio , fibrosis
Objective Published studies have evaluated the impact of stromal myofibroblasts on prognosis in solid cancers. However, the results of these studies remain controversial. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to address this issue. Methods The PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Embase databases were searched through November 30 th , 2015 by two investigators, and a total of 17 studies that contained 2606 patients were included. Stromal myofibroblasts were quantified in solid cancers using α-smooth muscle actin staining. Pooled Odds Ratio with 95% Confidence Intervals were calculated, and publication bias was analyzed. Results The results of this study suggest that in solid cancers, a high density of stromal myofibroblasts is significantly associated with poor 3- and 5-year overall survival (pooled odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.33 (1.10–1.60) for 3-year overall survival and 1.68 (1.22–2.32) for 5-year overall survival). In addition, a high density of stromal myofibroblasts also predicted poor 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (1.30 (1.05–1.60) for 3-year disease-free survival and 1.36 (1.01–1.83) for 5-year disease-free survival). However, stromal myofibroblasts were not associated with 3- and 5-year cancer-specific survival. No publication bias was found for all analyses. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that a high density of stromal myofibroblasts is associated with poor survival in solid cancers. More studies were required to investigate the prognostic value of stromal myofibroblasts in different types of solid cancers.