Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of SIRT1 expression in NSCLC: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. The prognosis of NSCLC is extremely poor and it is urgently to find a new marker. Numerous studies have confirmed that silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (sirtuin1; SIRT1) is abnormally expressed in NSCLC. This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of SIRT1 in NSCLC. A total of seven eligible studies, including 6 on clinicopathological features, 7 on prognosis were identified from the databases. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models. Results revealed that high expression of SIRT1 was associated with poor overall survival in NSCLC patients (HR=1.99, 95% CI: 1.33-2.98, P=0.0009). Moreover, SIRT1 were related to histological grade (OR= 2.00, 95% CI= 1.05-3.78, P= 0.02) of NSCLC patients. In conclusion, our present meta-analysis indicated that SIRT1 may serve as a promising marker for prognosis of patients with NSCLC.

Keywords: NSCLC; SIRT1; meta-analysis; overall survival; prognosis.

Figure 1. Flow diagram of study search and selection process

Figure 2. Forest plot of HRs for the association of SIRT1 expression in NSCLC with OS

(A) All NSCLC patients, (B) Asian and non-Asian NSCLC patients. The point estimate is bounded by a 95% confidence interval, and the perpendicular line represents no increased risk for the outcome. NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer.

Figure 3. Forest plot for association between SIRT1 and histological grade

(A) All NSCLC patients, (B) Asian and non-Asian NSCLC patients.

Figure 4. Sensitivity analyses of the studies

(A) Overall survival, (B) histological grade.

Figure 5. Begg’s and Egger’s test for publication bias

(A) Overall survival, (B) histological grade.