Long non-coding RNA AFAP1-AS1 is a novel biomarker in various cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the literature and GEO datasets

• Published in: Oncotarget 2017-11, Vol.8 (60), p.102346-102360
• Main Authors: Wang, Yumin, Mo, Yongzhen, Yang, Xiang, Zhou, Ruoyu, Wu, Zeyu, He, Yuchen, Yang, Xue, Zhong, Yaxian, Du, Yajun, Zhou, Hang, Li, Xiaoling, Li, Yong, Li, Guiyuan, Zeng, Zhaoyang, Guo, Can, Xiong, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Meta-Analysis
• ISSN: 1949-2553; 1949-2553
• DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21830

Growing evidence indicates that AFAP1-AS1 plays an important role in various cancers, suggesting that it might be a potential cancer biomarker. A meta-analysis was performed using microarray data obtained via the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 platform (found in the GEO database) and data obtained through a systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI (confidence interval) were used to judge the value of biomarkers. A total of 30 studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising a total of 3573 patients. AFAP1-AS1 was significantly linked with overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.23) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.68-3.19). We found that AFAP1-AS1 was a risk factor in the prognoses of lung cancer (pooled HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.01-2.34), digestive system cancer (pooled HR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.45-2.41) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HR: 11.82; 95% CI: 5.09-27.46). AFAP1-AS1 was also a risk factor for RFS in breast cancer (pooled HR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.69-4.98), as well as TNM stage in both esophageal cancer (pooled OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.01-3.57) and colorectal cancer (OR = 6.72; 95% CI: 1.92-23.58). AFAP1-AS1 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in clear cell carcinoma (OR = 5.04; 95% CI: 2.36-10.78) and distant metastasis in pancreatic cancer (OR = 11.64; 95% CI: 2.13-63.78). AFAP1-AS1 can serve as a novel molecular marker predicting tumor progression, patient prognosis and lymph node metastasis in different types of cancers.