Prognostic and predictive significance of thymidylate synthase protein expression in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

It remains controversial whether thymidylate synthase (TS) protein expression is associated with survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate prognostic and predictive significance of tumor TS protein level in NSCLC.

METHODS

Electronic searches were performed for relevant studies in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were pooled for meta-analysis. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot and Begg's test.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies, including 2280 patients, were eligible. This analysis showed that patients with low TS expression had statistically significantly longer OS and PFS than those with high TS (HR=0.51 and HR=0.49, respectively). Based on TS-targeted drug use status, TS expression was significantly associated with OS in pemetrexed (HR=0.42) and 5-Fluorouracil subgroups (HR=0.34), but not in no TS-targeted drug subgroup. There were similar results for PFS analyses. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results were robust. Begg's test did not reveal any publication bias.

CONCLUSION

Low TS protein expression is a favorable predictive factor for better OS/PFS in NSCLC patients treated with TS-targeted drugs. Prognostic value of TS protein expression needs further validation.