Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein expression and laryngeal cancer prognosis: a meta analysis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and its clinical significance in laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive search for the related literature published in China and other countries was conducted in a variety of databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, Wanfang Data and VIP Database. A total of seven case-control studies were included in the final systematic assessment. A meta-analysis software program was used to statistically analyze the raw data from each study for the calculation of the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results: The meta-analysis indicated that, compared with normal laryngeal tissue, the MMP2 protein was highly expressed in the laryngeal cancer tissue [OR=21.67; 95% CI: 11.61-40.43; P<0.001]. Compared with highly differentiated laryngeal cancer, the MMP2 protein expression level was higher in the moderately and poorly differentiated laryngeal cancers [OR=0.25; 95% CI: 0.13-0.46; P<0.001]. Compared with laryngeal cancers without lymph node metastasis, the laryngeal cancers with lymph node metastasis exhibited a greatly elevated MMP2 protein expression [OR=0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.46; P<0.001].

Conclusion: High protein expression levels of MMP2 may play an important role in the tumorigenesis, progression and prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

Keywords: Laryngeal cancer; matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2); meta-analysis.

Figure 1

Forest plot of comparison of the cancerous laryngeal tissue and normal laryngeal tissue, the horizontal lines correspond to the study-specific OR and 95% CI, respectively. The area of the squares reflects the study-specific weight. The diamond represents the pooled results of OR and 95% CI.

Figure 2

Forest plot of comparison of cancer tissues with different levels of differentiation, the horizontal lines correspond to the study-specific OR and 95% CI, respectively. The area of the squares reflects the study-specific weight. The diamond represents the pooled results of OR and 95% CI.

Figure 3

Forest plot of comparison of laryngeal cancers with and without lymph node metastasis, the horizontal lines correspond to the study-specific OR and 95% CI, respectively. The area of the squares reflects the study-specific weight. The diamond represents the pooled results of OR and 95% CI.

Figure 4

Begg’s funnel plot for publication bias tests. Each point represents a separate study for the indicated association. Log or represents natural logarithm of OR. Vertical line represents the mean effects size.