Higher expression of SALL4 predicts poor cancer prognosis: A meta-analysis

Cancer Biomark. 2017 Jul 4;19(4):365-373. doi: 10.3233/CBM-160052.

Abstract

Background: Sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) is recognized as a potential biomarker for assessing cancer prognosis. Many experiments have been done to explore the aberrant expression of SALL4 in cancer patients.

Objective: To explore the association between SALL4 expression and cancer prognosis.

Methods: A systematically comprehensive search was performed through PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI. The prognostic value of SALL4 expression in cancer patients was evaluated by pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The overexpression of SALL4 was identified to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients (pooled HR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.67-2.46). This association was also detected in digestive system neoplasms subgroup (pooled HR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.52-2.39) and reproductive system neoplasms subgroup (pooled HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.17-3.26). In the geography subgroup analysis, a statistical association was confirmed in the Chinese subgroup (pooled HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.526-2.576). In the respect of disease progression, there was a certain degree of relationship between higher expression of SALL4 and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (pooled HR: 1.617, 95% CI: 1.190-2.196).

Conclusion: SALL4 is a promising prognostic biomarker for cancer, and is appropriate for the assessment of cancer prognosis in the Chinese people.

Keywords: SALL4; biomarker; cancer; meta-analysis; prognosis.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • SALL4 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors