Many studies have evaluated the accuracy of EGFR mutation status in blood against that in tumor tissues as the reference. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether blood can be used as a substitute for tumor tissue in detecting EGFR mutations.

Plenty of studies have been conducted to explore the prognostic value of LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 in various cancers, however, with contradictory outcomes. The aim of the current study was to explore the prognostic value of high LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 expression in various cancers.

Several studies have evaluated the association between the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) polymorphism (rs1045642 C > T) and multiple myeloma (MM). However, the results were not consistent. Therefore, to reach a comprehensive and reliable answer we determined the association of the MDR1 (rs1045642 C > T) polymorphism and MM in the context of meta-analysis.

Studies have focused on heat shock protein (Hsp) inhibitors as potential treatment agents in breast cancer, with controversial results. Adopting a pathophysiological perspective, this systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence examining the association between Hsp70/Hsp90 expression and breast cancer prognosis, as well as prognosis-related clinicopathological indices. Secondarily, changes in Hsp70/Hsp90 expression in the continuum of breast neoplasia were assessed.

Detecting free tumor cells in the peritoneal lavage fluid of gastric cancer patients permits to assess a more accurate prognosis, predict peritoneal recurrence and select cases for a more aggressive treatment. Currently, cytology and molecular biology comprise the two most popular methods of detection that are under constant study by researchers.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignant endocrine-related cancer with an increasing trend worldwide. Therefore, it's in urgent need to find new markers for prognosis and diagnosis. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be aberrantly expressed in TC, and may serve as biomarkers. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to systematically summarize the relationship between lncRNA expressions and TC.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Although low-dose CT (LDCT) is recommended for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations and may decrease lung cancer mortality, there is a need to improve the accuracy of lung cancer screening to decrease over-diagnosis and morbidity. Blood and serum-based biomarkers, including EarlyCDT-lung and microRNA based biomarkers, are promising adjuncts to LDCT in lung cancer screening. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of EarlyCDT-lung, micro-RNA signature classifier (MSC), and miR-test, and their impact on lung cancer-related mortality and all-cause mortality.

The association of lifestyle factors with molecular pathological subtypes of colorectal cancer (CRC), such as microsatellite instability (MSI), could provide further knowledge about the colorectal carcinogenic process. The aim of this review was to evaluate possible associations between lifestyle factors and risk of sporadic CRC by MSI status.

Molecular testing in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) aids in identifying oncogenic alterations. The aim of this study was to compare the rates of detection of oncogenic alterations and responsiveness to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) according to EGFR mutation status as determined by peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamping or direct sequencing (DS).

This article investigates the genomic knowledge of oncology care physicians in the adoption of clinical genomics. We apply Rogers' knowledge framework from his diffusion of innovation theory to identify three types of knowledge in the process of translation and adoption: awareness, how-to, and principles knowledge. The objectives of this systematic review are to: (1) examine the level of knowledge among physicians in clinical cancer genomics, and (2) identify potential interventions or strategies for development of genomic education for oncology practice.

Contrasting results have been reported on the role of rs628031 and rs683369 polymorphisms of SLC22A1 and rs776746 of CYP3A5 on imatinib treatment response in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In the present study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to estimate the impact of the above-mentioned gene variants on major molecular response (MMR) or complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) in imatinib-treated CML patients. We performed a comprehensive search through PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane databases up to September 2017. The pooled analyses showed association between carriers of SLC22A1 rs628031A allele (GA + AA vs GG, OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38-0.88, P = 0.011) or rs683369G allele (CG + GG vs CC, OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42-0.96, P = 0.032) and a lower MMR rate. The combined analyses also revealed a correlation between the dominant (GG + AG vs AA, OR: 2.43, 95%CI: 1.12-5.27, P = 0.024) or the allelic model (G vs A, OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.09-2.72, P = 0.020) of CYP3A5 rs776746 with higher CCyR rates. The subsequent sensitivity analysis confirmed the statistical significance of CYP3A5 rs776746 among Asian CML patients (dominant model OR: 3.90; 95%CI: 2.47-6.14, P < 0.001; allelic model OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.47-2.95, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis supports the association of SLC22A1 and CYP3A5 genotypes with clinical imatinib response rates of CML patients, nevertheless further large studies, particularly in Caucasians, are still warranted to provide conclusive evidences.

Emerging evidence indicates that C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR 4) is a candidate oncogene in several types of human tumors including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). To investigate its expression impact on clinicopathological features, a meta-analysis was performed.

Gliomas, particularly low-grade gliomas (LGGs), are highly epileptogenic. Seizure is the most common presenting sign of LGG patients and significantly decreases their quality of life. Accordingly, there is a need for a better understanding of the mechanisms and risk factors of glioma-related epilepsy. The current study aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to investigate the correlation of isocitrate-dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), an important molecular biomarker for glioma classification and prognosis, to preoperative seizure incidence in LGG.

Although EGFR-TKI is the preferred treatment for NSCLC patients with sensitive mutations, subsequent drug resistance is almost inevitable. The specific mechanisms of EGFR-TKI drug resistance can be identified through repeat biopsy.

Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in the USA causing 14,400 deaths per year. The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) has been extensively documented as a tumor suppresser gene in cancer. However, there is unclear evidence for its clinicopathological and prognostic role in kidney cancer.

miR-375 plays a role in tumor progression; however, its potential as a prognostic factor in cancer remains unclear. This meta-analysis assessed the value of miR-375 as a global prognostic biomarker in human cancer.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients are at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Individuals at heightened risk could be targeted by intensive follow-up surveillance. We have conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify host genetic predisposition to HCC in HCV-infected patients. A comprehensive search of Medline and Embase databases was performed, and the strength of evidence of associations for each gene on development of HCC was evaluated. We identified 166 relevant studies, relating to 137 different genes, or combinations thereof. Seventeen genes were classified as having "good" evidence of an association, a significant association was observed for 37 genes but this finding had not yet been replicated, 56 genes had mixed or limited evidence of an association, and 27 genes showed no association. IFNL3/4, TNF-α and PNPLA3 genes had the most evidence of an association. There was, however, considerable heterogeneity in study design and data quality. In conclusion, we identified a number of genes with evidence of association with HCC, but also a need for more standardized approaches to address this clinically critical question. It is important to consider the underlying mechanism of these relationships and which are confounded by the presence of other HCC risk factors and response to therapy. We also identified many genes where the evidence of association is contradictory or requires replication, as well as a number where associations have been studied but no evidence found. These findings should help to direct future studies on host genetic predisposition to HCC in HCV-infected patients.

Hypomagnesemia is a recognized side-effect of cetuximab- or panitumumab-based chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The clinical relevance of hypomagnesemia is under debate. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis of retrospective studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing hypomagnesemia with normal magnesium levels in wild-type KRAS mCRC was performed. One RCT, two retrospective studies, and two American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) conference presentations from phase III RCTs involving 1723 patients were included in this study. Patients with hypomagnesemia demonstrated better progression-free survival (PFS) (Hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47-0.88), overall survival (OS) (HR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53-0.92), and objective response rate (ORR) (Risk ratio [RR]: 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30-2.52). By subgroup analysis, frontline, later lines or combination therapy with hypomagnesemia were associated with PFS benefits (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62-0.98; HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40-0.90; HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.94, respectively). In patients with wild-type KRAS mCRC, hypomagnesemia is associated with better clinical benefits of PFS, OS and ORR when treated with cetuximab- or panitumumab-based chemotherapy. Future clinical trials should corroborate its predictive role.

Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormally expressed in prostate cancer (PCa), suggesting that they could serve as novel prognostic markers. The current meta-analysis was undertaken to better define the prognostic value of various lncRNAs in PCa.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality as many patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease. MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that have a major role in gene expression regulation and are dysregulated in CRC. The miR-200 family is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This systematic review describes the roles of the miR-200 family in EMT in CRC. A search of electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) was conducted between January 2000 and July 2017. Both in vitro and human studies reporting on the miR-200 family and CRC were included. Studies describing molecular pathways and the role of the miR-200 family in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of CRC were analyzed. Thirty-four studies (22 in vitro and 18 human studies) were included. miR-200 family expression is regulated epigenetically and via transcriptional factor regulation. In vitro studies show that transfection of miR-200 family members into chemo-resistant colon cancer cell lines results in improved chemo-sensitivity and epithelial phenotype restoration. There is intra-tumoral variability in the tissue expression of miR-200 family members with decreased expression at the invasive front. Clinical studies in CRC patients have shown decreased primary tumor tissue expression of miR-429, miR-200a and miR-200c may be associated with worse survival. Conversely, increased blood levels of miR-141, miR-200a and miR-200c may be associated with worse outcomes. The miR-200 family has a central role in EMT. The miR200 family has potential for both prognostic and therapeutic management of CRC.