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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2013; 19(41): 7189-7196
Published online Nov 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i41.7189
Published online Nov 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i41.7189
Association between Ras association domain family 1A promoter methylation and hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis
Ze-Hua Zhao, Yu-Chen Fan, Yang Yang, Kai Wang, Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
Yu-Chen Fan, Kai Wang, Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Zhao ZH and Wang K designed research; Zhao ZH and Fan YC performed the research and analyzed the data; Zhao ZH, Fan YC and Yang Y wrote the paper; Wang K supervised the whole study.
Supported by Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, No. 2012ZX10002007 and No. 2013ZX10002001; National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171579 and No. 81201287; Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China, No. ZR2010HM070 and No. ZR2010HQ040
Correspondence to: Kai Wang, MD, PhD, Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Wenhuaxi Road 107, Jinan 250012, China. wangdoc876@126.com
Telephone: +86-531-86630809 Fax: +86-531-86927544
Received: July 14, 2013
Revised: August 15, 2013
Accepted: August 20, 2013
Published online: November 7, 2013
Revised: August 15, 2013
Accepted: August 20, 2013
Published online: November 7, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: The published results on the diagnostic potential of Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) promoter methylation for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not consistent. We performed a comprehensive literature search to assess the diagnostic accuracy of RASSF1A promoter methylation. We rigorously selected patients with chronic liver diseases as controls to mimic clinical practice, and we only included studies that used body fluids as samples for detection because such an approach is non-invasive and promising for clinical application. Our meta-analysis demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity of RASSF1A methylation and may complement the α-fetoprotein test to improve HCC detection.