Prognostic significance of tumor-associated macrophages in ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis.

Objective: The role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor microenvironment remains controversial due to the two different polarized subsets of TAMs. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between subpopulations of TAMs and clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive search in PUBMED/Medline and EMBASE databases was performed.

Safety and efficacy evaluation of pertuzumab in patients with solid tumors.

Background: The development of targeted therapies benefits patients with certain markers in the treatment of breast cancer. Pertuzumab is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) dimerization. The Food and Drug Administration has approved pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Diagnostic role of 18F-FDG PET/MRI in patients with gynecological malignancies of the pelvis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) for gynecological cancers of the pelvis, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of published data.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of Pubmed and Embase for studies that evaluated the diagnosis of 18F-FDG PET/MRI for gynecological malignancies in the pelvis. Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy 2 (QUADAS 2) tool was used to access the quality of included studies.

Value of circulating cell-free DNA analysis as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of cell free DNA (cfDNA) for breast cancer.

Results: Among 308 candidate articles, 25 with relevant diagnostic screening qualified for final analysis. The mean sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) of SROC plots for 24 studies that distinguished breast cancer patients from healthy controls were 0.

Accuracy of Raman spectroscopy in differentiating brain tumor from normal brain tissue.

Raman spectroscopy could be applied to distinguish tumor from normal tissues. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy in differentiating brain tumor from normal brain tissue. PubMed and Embase were searched to identify suitable studies prior to Jan 1st, 2016.

Are pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio useful in predicting the outcomes of patients with small-cell lung cancer?

Objectives: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been proved to affect the prognosis of various types of cancers. However, the prognostic role of NLR and PLR in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains controversial. The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic values of NLR, PLR and other potential prognostic indexes in SCLC patients.

Facial flushing after alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer: A meta-analysis.

Background: The association between facial flushing after alcohol consumption and the risk of cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between facial flushing and cancer risk.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant literature.

Study of the association between five polymorphisms and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, several studies have investigated the association between polymorphisms in miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, miR-499 rs3746444, miR-149 rs229283, miR-34b/c rs4938723, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which showed inconclusive results.

Methods: A publication search was performed in PubMed, ExcerptaMedica Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure to collect relevant medical data published through February 2016. The aim of this study was to ascertain the association between HCC and micro-RNAs.

Prognostic value of 18F-FDG PET-CT-based functional parameters in patients with soft tissue sarcoma: A meta-analysis.

Background: Considering the clinical importance of high 5-year mortality, we performed a meta-analysis of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from F-FDG PET-CT for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods: The search and selection of eligible articles was conducted on PubMed and EMBASE. We applied hazard ratio (HR) and odd ratio (OR) to measure the correlation between SUVmax, MTV, and TLG with PFS and OS.

Prognostic role of vascular endothelial growth factor in cervical cancer: a meta-analysis.

The prognostic role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cervical cancer is controversial to date. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of VEGF and VEGF-C in patients with cervical cancer. Relevant studies were identified by systematic search of the PubMed and Embase database.

The prognostic value of long non coding RNAs in non small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis.

Background: Reports have demonstrated the prognostic function of long non-coding RNAS (lncRNAS) in patients with cancer. However, their prognostic functions in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. We therefore performed a meta-analysis on six lncRNAs (PVT1, AFAP1-AS1, LINC01133, ANRIL, MEG3 and UCA1) to clarify their prognostic roles in NSCLC.

The early diagnosis of testicular natural killer/t-cell lymphoma.

Testicular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is a rare aggressive extranodal lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. Time to diagnose is crucial as the disease is rapidly progressive and fatal. Early suspicion is documented by imaging studies and testicular biopsies which are key factors for diagnosing testicular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma.

Safety and efficacy of nivolumab in the treatment of cancers: A meta-analysis of 27 prospective clinical trials.

Immune checkpoint inhibition therapy has benefited people and shown powerful anti-tumor activity during the past several years. Nivolumab, a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody against PD-1, is a widely studied immune checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of cancers. To assess the safety and efficacy of nivolumab, 27 clinical trials on nivolumab were analyzed.

The Role of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Meta-Analysis.

Targeting immune cells or factors are effective for patients with solid tumors. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known to have immunosuppressive functions, and the levels of MDSCs in patients with solid tumor are assumed to have prognostic values. This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the relationship between MDSCs and the prognosis of patients with solid tumors.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA level as a novel prognostic factor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

Background: The plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA level in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) performs as an appealing prognostic factor, but conclusions of its prognostic values from previous studies are inconsistent. In this study, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of EBV DNA level in patients with NPC.

Methods: Published studies were searched in PubMed.

Impact of enhanced recovery program on patients with esophageal cancer in comparison with traditional care.

Purpose: Enhanced recovery program (ERP) was reported to be beneficial to patients undergoing esophageal surgery. However, evidence for ERP as a new standard perioperative pathway is insufficient. This meta-analysis aims to systematically investigate the differences between ERP and traditional care in terms of postoperative outcomes.

Bevacizumab Addition in Neoadjuvant Treatment Increases the Pathological Complete Response Rates in Patients with HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer Especially Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Neoadjuvant therapy is administered to breast cancer patients as an induction process before surgery or radiotherapy to reduce tumor size. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) negative breast cancer lacks effective standard target therapy. Bevacizumab has a controversial role in the treatment of breast cancer and we conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the value of adding bevacizumab in neoadjuvant regimen.

Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Sonography for Differentiation of Breast Lesions: A Meta-analysis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced sonography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods: The scientific literature databases PubMed and Embase were comprehensively searched for relevant studies before January 2015. Data were pooled to yield the summary sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio using meta-analysis software.

Small intestine contrast ultrasonography for the detection and assessment of Crohn disease: A meta-analysis.

Background: Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing disease. Imaging modalities are essential for the diagnosis and assessment of CD. Small intestine contrast ultrasonography (SICUS) is a well-tolerated, noninvasive and radiation-free modality and has shown potential in CD assessment.

Rapid Discrimination of Malignant Breast Lesions from Normal Tissues Utilizing Raman Spectroscopy System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of In Vitro Studies.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Raman spectroscopy system in the detection of malignant breast lesions through a systemic review and meta-analysis of published studies.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Embase from 2000 to June 2015. Published studies that evaluated the diagnostic performance of Raman spectroscopy in distinguishing malignant breast lesions from benign lesions and normal tissues were included in our study.

Safety and efficacy profile of lenvatinib in cancer therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To systematically review the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib in the treatment of patients, we retrieved all the relevant clinical trials on the adverse events (AEs) and survival outcomes of lenvatinib through PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Collaboration's Central register of controlled trial. Fourteen eligible studies involving a total of 978 patients were included in our analysis. The most common all-grade AEs observed in patients treated with lenvatinib were hematuria (56.

Safety and Efficacy of Trastuzumab Emtansine in Advanced Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer: a Meta-analysis.

Advanced or metastatic breast cancer is an incurable disease with high mortality rate worldwide and about 20% of breast cancers overexpress and amplify the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Achievements in targeted therapy have benefited people during the past decades. Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), a novel antibody-drug conjugate playing a powerful role in anti-tumor activity, not only blocks the HER2 signaling pathways, but also disturbs the microtubule dynamics.

Meta-analysis of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in identification of colorectal cancer.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in identification of colorectal cancer.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of DWI in identification of colorectal cancer. Methodological quality was assessed by Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy 2 (QUADAS 2) tool.

Secondary neurolymphomatosis of spinal nerve roots detected by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT: a case report and differential diagnosis of the case.

Objective: Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is a rare neurological manifestation of lymphoma. Clinical symptoms of NL differ greatly according to the sites involved and diagnosis with conventional imaging techniques may sometimes be difficult. We herein describe the case of a 58 years old man presenting as radiculopathy with a history of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).