FOXP4-AS1 May be a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Human Cancers: A Meta-Analysis and Bioinformatics Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Early diagnosis can significantly lower cancer-related mortality. Studies have shown that the lncRNA Forkhead box P4 antisense RNA 1 (FOXP4-AS1) is aberrantly expressed in various solid tumors. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation of FOXP4-AS1 with the prognosis of cancer patients and determine the clinical value of FOXP4-AS1 as a potential diagnostic marker.

METHODS

Correlational studies from the Web of Science, Embase, OVID, Cochrane and PubMed databases were screened (up to April 1, 2021). Meta-analysis was performed using Stata SE12.0 software.

RESULTS

Eleven original studies with 1,332 patients who were diagnosed with a solid cancer (nasopharyngeal carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, osteosarcoma, mantle cell lymphoma, prostate cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) were included in the meta-analysis. High expression of FOXP4-AS1 was correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.29-2.44, < 0.001) and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.01-2.72, = 0.044). Subgroup analysis based on sample size, follow-up time and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score revealed significant differences between FOXP4-AS1 levels and OS ( < 0.05). However, the expression level of FOXP4-AS1 was not significantly correlated with the OS of gastric cancer patients ( = 0.381). High expression of FOXP4-AS1 was predictive of a larger tumor size (OR = 3.82, 95% CI 2.3-6.3, < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of FOXP4-AS1 correlates with poor prognosis of cancer patients, and is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021245267.