Prognostic value of survivin expression in breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Abstract

The prognostic role of survivin expression in breast cancer patients has been widely reported. However, controversy still remains. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to obtain a more precise estimation of the relationship between survivin expression and overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients. Relevant articles were selected for further assessment by online search in PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were used to estimate the strength of the association between survivin expression and OS in breast cancer patients. Funnel plots of Begger's and Egger's linear regression test were used to evaluate the publication bias. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis were also assessed. Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis with the total number of 2,202 patients. There was a significant association between positive survivin expression and a poor OS consequence in patients with breast cancer (pooled HR 1.80, 95 % CI 1.55-2.09). No significant heterogeneity was observed among all the eligible studies (x (2) = 21.87, p = 0.081, I (2) = 36.0 %). Publication bias was absent. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the results of this meta-analysis were robust. Our results suggested that high survivin expression had an unfavorable prognostic role for patients with breast cancer.

Resistance to the mTOR inhibitor everolimus is reversed by the downregulation of survivin in breast cancer cells

“…This is supported by data suggesting that the increase of this protein in cancer tissues is an unfavorable prognostic marker and is associated with increased risk of recurrence (19). The overexpression of survivin has been proposed as a predictive factor in determining the response to chemotherapy (20).…”

Expression of IAP family proteins and its clinical importance in breast cancer patients

“…Despite the presence of XIAP, cIAP-1 cIAP-2 and survivin expression in breast cancer samples at diagnosis we did not confirmed theirs impact to patient's survival, besides the trend [26]. The prognostic value of XIAP in breast cancer patients was investigated by Zhang Y et al [27].…”

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of survivin expression in renal cancer patients: a meta-analysis

“…A positive relationship between survivin expression and p53 accumulation has been reported in many cancers such as lung, gastric, colorectal and pancreatic cancers 32–36. When comparing the results with the results of other meta-analyses analysing survivin in colorectal,37 breast,38 bladder,10 oesophageal9 and lung cancers,39 there were no inconsistent conclusions except with respect to oral squamous cell carcinoma 40. Furthermore, there are more potential genes or proteins that may increase or decrease survivin expression in RCC.…”