Prognostic value of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: It has been reported that the expression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is abnormal in various types of cancer, and could be used as a prognostic biomarker. However, the results are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic value of AKR1B10 expression in solid tumors by conducting a meta-analysis.Methods: The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival and disease-free survival/relapse-free survival were calculated to estimate the prognostic significance of AKR1B10 using the random effects model. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were used to investigate sources of heterogeneity. Begg’s test and Egger’s test were used to evaluate publication bias.Results: Eleven studies involving 1,389 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis displayed that high expression of AKR1B10 was not associated with OS(HR=1.22; 95% CI: 0.73–2.04) and DFS/PFS (HR=1.23, 95% CI 0.75–2.01) in solid tumors. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the results of the meta-analysis were stable. Begg’s test and Egger’s test also confirmed the absence of publication bias.Conclusions: We demonstrated that high expression of AKR1B10 was not associated with survival outcomes in patients with solid tumors. Further large-sample, prospective, multi-centric, and well-designed studies are warranted to investigate the prognostic role of AKR1B10 in various cancers.