Circulating miR-21 as a potential biomarker in human digestive system carcinoma: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) account for about a quarter of cancers. Lately, the circulating microRNAs as a non-invasive biomarker for identifying and monitoring diseases have been recognized. Several studies have examined the role of miR-21 in digestive system carcinoma. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic role of miR-21 in GICs.

Methods: Seventeen studies involving 1700 individuals were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, AUC, SROC, and Q* index were calculated based on true-positive, true-negative, false-negative, and false-positive. Moreover, the subgroup analyses have been performed for miR-21 based on sample types (serum/plasma), normalized genes (U6, miR-16, and miR-39), and ethnicity.

Results: The pooled sensitivity 0.722 (95% CI: 0.70–0.74), specificity 0.820 (95% CI: 0.801–0.838), PLR 4.375 (95% CI: 3.226–5.933), NLR 0.308 (95% CI: 0.239–0.398), DOR 16.06 (95% CI: 9.732–26.53) as well as AUC 0.86, and Q* index 0.79 represented the high-grade diagnostic precision of miR-21 in identifying GICs (ESCC, GC, CRC, HCC, and PC).

Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that circulating miR-21 levels can be used to monitor the digestive system carcinomas. Therefore, miR-21 can be a useful biomarker of progression and fair diagnosis in GICs patients.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Circulating miR-21
• gastrointestinal cancer
• digestive system carcinoma
• biomarker
• molecular diagnostic
• meta-analysis

Acknowledgement

We would like to thanks Mr. Jafar Salehi for helping us to provide the Graphical abstract.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).