Meta-Analysis
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. May 15, 2024; 16(5): 2168-2180
Published online May 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.2168
Association of complement components with risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xiao-Lin Zhu, Lu Zhang, Su-Xia Qi
Xiao-Lin Zhu, Su-Xia Qi, Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
Lu Zhang, Department of Medical Administration, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: Zhu XL and Qi SX designed the project; Zhu XL and Zhang L performed the literature search, data acquisition, and data extraction, and supported the writing of the paper; Zhu XL performed the statistical analyses; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Su-Xia Qi, MA, Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, No. 5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao 266071, Shandong Province, China. qisuxia_0@163.com
Received: December 15, 2023
Peer-review started: December 15, 2023
First decision: December 22, 2023
Revised: January 11, 2024
Accepted: March 4, 2024
Article in press: March 4, 2024
Published online: May 15, 2024
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background

This meta-analysis focuses on the role of complement components in colorectal cancer (CRC). The contentious nature of this topic underscores the need for further investigation to elucidate the relationship between complement components and CRC risk and clinical characteristics.

Research motivation

Understanding the association between complement components and CRC is crucial for advancing our knowledge in this field. These findings will have significant implications for future research and potential therapeutic strategies.

Research objectives

This study aimed to determine the relationship between complement components and CRC risk and to analyze the clinical characteristics associated with these components. By achieving these objectives, the study aimed to contribute to future research by providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of complement components in CRC.

Research methods

This meta-analysis utilized a systematic search approach in databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database. Cohort studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed using fixed-effects or random-effects models based on the I² test. Risk ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results and identify sources of heterogeneity.

Research results

The analysis included data from 15 studies comprising 1631 participants. Elevated protein levels of cluster of differentiation 46 (CD46), CD59, and component 1 (C1) and serum levels of C3 were significantly associated with CRC compared to healthy controls. Strong expression of CD55 or CD59 was linked to a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, while strong CD46 expression correlated with a higher incidence of tumor differentiation. Notable, heterogeneity among the results was observed, primarily attributed to regional differences.

Research conclusions

This study proposes that increased levels of specific complement components, such as CD46, CD59, C1, and C3, are associated with an elevated risk of CRC. The findings emphasize the potential significance of monitoring elevated complement component levels in CRC patients. The study does not propose new theories or methods but consolidates existing evidence to draw meaningful conclusions.

Research perspectives

Future research in this field should focus on further investigating the regional differences observed in complement component levels and their association with CRC. Additional studies could explore the underlying mechanisms through which these components contribute to CRC development and progression. Moreover, it would be valuable to investigate the potential of targeting complement components as a therapeutic approach for CRC treatment.