Meta-Analysis
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2014; 20(34): 12313-12321
Published online Sep 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i34.12313
Abnormal β-catenin immunohistochemical expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer: A meta-analysis
Li-Fu Li, Zheng-Jie Wei, Hong Sun, Bo Jiang
Li-Fu Li, Zheng-Jie Wei, Hong Sun, Bo Jiang, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Li LF and Wei ZJ contributed equally to this study; Li LF designed the study and wrote the manuscript; Li LF and Wei ZJ performed the majority of analyses; Sun H and Jiang B revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Bo Jiang, MD, Professor, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 1838, Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China. lilifunanfang@foxmail.com
Telephone: +86-20-61641532 Fax: +86-20-61641532
Received: February 18, 2014
Revised: April 3, 2014
Accepted: April 30, 2014
Published online: September 14, 2014
Processing time: 212 Days and 3 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of β-catenin immunohistochemical expression on the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS: We searched Pubmed and Embase to identify eligible studies. The search ended on November 10, 2013, with no lower date limit. The citation lists associated with the studies were used to identify additional eligible studies. We included studies reporting sufficient information to estimate the HR and 95%CI, and information to estimate the OR in the analysis of clinicopathological features. The qualities of these studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. HRs and ORs and their variance were calculated and pooled using Review Manager Version 5.2.

RESULTS: A total of 24 studies were identified and comprised 3404 cases. β-catenin expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS) in GC patients (HR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.39-2.46), but showed a significant degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 71%, P < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis indicated that an abnormal pattern of β-catenin expression had an unfavorable effect on OS (HR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.39-2.32). However, accumulation in the nucleus or loss of membrane did not influence the survival of GC patients independently. Moreover, the combined OR of β-catenin indicated that β-catenin expression was associated with Lauren classification (OR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.19-3.29), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.00, 95%CI: 1.44-2.77), distant metastasis (OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.35-5.38) and grade of differentiation (OR = 2.68, 95%CI: 1.66-4.34). β-catenin expression did not correlate with TNM stage (OR = 1.34 95%CI: 0.96-1.86), the depth of invasion (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 0.94-2.33) or vascular invasion (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 0.70-1.76).

CONCLUSION: Abnormal β-catenin immunohistochemical expression may be associated with tumor progression and could be a predictive factor of poor prognosis in patients with GC.

Keywords: β-catenin; Immunohistochemistry; Gastric cancer; Prognosis; Meta-analysis

Core tip:β-catenin is involved in the development of multiple tumors. It has been proved that β-catenin is important in cell-to-cell adhesion and the progression of gastric cancer. This meta-analysis demonstrated that abnormal β-catenin expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, and may predict invasion and metastasis.