Meta-analysis of the prognostic value of C-C chemokine receptor type 7 in patients with solid tumors.

BACKGROUND

Expression of C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is associated with the prognosis of several cancers. The aim of this study was to conduct the meta-analysis to determine the prognostic value of CCR7 expression in solid tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched for relevant literature in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases (last updated on January 15, 2018). The associations of CCR7 expression with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), progress-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were estimated.

RESULTS

In total, 30 qualified studies including 3,413 patients were enrolled. The results revealed that higher expression of CCR7 predicted poorer OS (pooled HR =1.79; 95% CI =1.49-2.16; <0.001) and PFS (pooled HR =2.18; 95% CI =1.49-3.18; <0.001), but was not associated with DFS (pooled HR =1.69; 95% CI =0.79-3.61; =0.175), RFS (pooled HR =1.29; 95% CI =0.48-3.44; =0.618), or DSS (pooled HR =3.06; 95% CI =0.38-24.83; <0.294).

CONCLUSION

From this meta-analysis, we concluded that high expression of CCR7 in tumor tissue is associated with poor survival in patients with solid tumors, and may be a prognostic biomarker for tumor progression.