Prognostic Value of Microvessel Density in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

The prognostic value of microvessel density (MVD) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains disputable. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively determine the prognostic value of MVD in HNSCC. Relevant literatures were identified using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of MVD in HNSCC patients and different subgroups. A total of 14 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overall survival (OS) of 11 studies was 1.663 (1.236-2.237, P = 0.001 ), and the pooled HR and 95% CI for progression-free survival (PFS) of 7 studies was 2.069 (1.281-3.343, P = 0.003 ). Subgroup analyses were also performed on different issues, such as regional distribution of patients, age, tumor location, antibody, and treatment strategy. To conclude, high MVD is associated with worse OS and PFS in patients with HNSCC.

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The Prognostic Value of Toll-Like Receptors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21197255 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (19) ◽

pp. 7255

Author(s):

Shrabon Hasnat ◽

Roosa Hujanen ◽

Bright I. Nwaru ◽

Tuula Salo ◽

Abdelhakim Salem

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Small Sample ◽

Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Toll Like Receptors

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of tumours which exhibit low 5 year survival rates. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers that may improve the clinical utility of patients with HNSCC. Emerging studies support a role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in carcinogenesis. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of TLR immunoexpression in HNSCC patients. We compiled the results of thirteen studies comprising 1825 patients, of which six studies were deemed qualified for quantitative synthesis. The higher immunoexpression of TLR-1 to 5 and 9 was associated with a worsening of the clinical parameters of patients with HNSCC. Furthermore, induced levels of TLR-3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 were found to predict the patients’ survival time. The meta-analysis revealed that TLR-7 overexpression is associated with a decreased mortality risk in HNSCC patients (HR 0.51; 95%CI 0.13–0.89; I2 34.6%), while a higher expression of TLR-5 predicted shorter, but non-significant, survival outcome. In conclusion, this review suggests that TLRs may represent some prognostic value for patients with HNSCC. However, due to small sample sizes and other inherent methodological limitations, more well designed studies across different populations are still needed before TLRs can be recommended as a reliable clinical risk-stratification tool.

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