Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are potential, novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of gastric carcinoma. Herein, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic potential for circRNAs in gastric carcinoma.
Methods: Online databases were searched for eligible studies. Study quality was judged using the Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (QUADAS) checklist-II tool. STATA 12.0 and Meta-Disc 1.4 software were used for statistical analysis.
Results: Twelve studies consisting of 1,278 patients and 1,250 paired controls were considered for meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of circRNAs for gastric carcinoma were compared to normal controls and found to be 0.68 (95% CI: 0.66 - 0.71) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.68 - 0.73), respectively. A corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.78 was identified. Moreover, stratified analysis demonstrated an improved diagnostic value for circRNAs when tissue and plasma specimens were combined.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that circRNAs are promising biomarkers for gastric carcinoma.