Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and association with skin cancer: A meta-analysis based on Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression and skin cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the databases of PubMed, CNKI, and WANFANG to find the case-control studies associated with Cox-2 expression and skin cancer. The association between Cox-2 expression and skin cancer was demonstrated by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot and Egger's line regression test. All the statistical analyses were done by Stata10.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA).

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in this meta-analysis. Without significant statistical heterogeneity, the data were pooled by fixed-effect model. Ten case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The combined results showed a close correlation between Cox-2 expression and skin cancer (OR = 25.00, 95% CI: 13.40-46.64, P < 0.05) with fixed-effect model. Subgroup analysis also indicated that Cox-2 expression was significantly correlated with skin cancer with the pathology type of squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 31.95, 95% CI: 15.08-67.72, P < 0.05) and basal cell carcinoma (OR = 14.69, 95% CI: 4.80-44.94, P < 0.05). Funnel plot and Egger's line regression test indicated no publication bias.

CONCLUSION

According to the present published data, Cox-2 expression was closely correlated to skin cancer.