Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2005; 11(17): 2656-2661
Published online May 7, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i17.2656
Role of AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood as a predictor for postsurgical recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xiang Ding, Lian-Yue Yang, Geng-Wen Huang, Jian-Qing Yang, He-Li Liu, Wei Wang, Ji-Xiang Peng, Jie-Quan Yang, Yi-Ming Tao, Zhi-Gang Chang, Xiu-Shou Ling
Xiang Ding, Lian-Yue Yang, Geng-Wen Huang, Jian-Qing Yang, He-Li Liu, Wei Wang, Ji-Xiang Peng, Jie-Quan Yang, Yi-Ming Tao, Zhi-Gang Chang, Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
Xiu-Shou Ling, Department of Epidemiology, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program, No. 2001BA703BO4
Correspondence to: Lian-Yue Yang, Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China. lianyueyang@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-731-4327326 Fax: +86-731-4327332
Received: April 10, 2004
Revised: April 11, 2004
Accepted: May 13, 2004
Published online: May 7, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To identify the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA expression in peripheral blood one week after surgery as a predictor for recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: Published studies fulfilling the selection criteria were identified by searching several databases online. After a methodology assessment using a quality scale designed by European Lung Cancer Working Party, data in each research were aggregated by means of meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Altogether 368 cases were included in the 9 selected studies, which fulfilled the selection criteria. The quality scores ranged from 35% to 84% with a median score of 55%. The ‘design’ subscore had the lowest median value (38%). By aggregating the data, a high χ2 value (77.576) was presented. The fail-safe number was 136 and 64 for P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively.

CONCLUSION: AFP mRNA expression in peripheral blood 1 wk after surgery correlated with the recurrence of HCC and was a good predictor for tumor recurrence.

Keywords: AFP mRNA; HCC; Meta-analysis