Brain tumors and circulating micrornas: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Brain tumors (BT) are among the most prevalent cancers in recent years. Various studies have examined the diagnostic role of microRNAs in different diseases; however, their diagnostic role in BT has not been comprehensively investigated. This meta-analysis was performed to assess microRNAs in the blood of patients with BTs accurately.

Methods

Twenty-six eligible studies were included for analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under curve (AUC), Q*index, summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) were assessed using the Meta-Disc V.1.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.3 software.

Results

The diagnostic accuracy of microRNA was high in identifying BT based on the pooled sensitivity 0.82 (95%CI: 0.816–0.84), specificity 0.82 (95%CI: 0.817–0.84), PLR 5.101 (95%CI: 3.99–6.51), NLR 0.187 (95%CI: 0.149–0.236), DOR 34.07 (95%CI: 22.56–51.43) as well as AUC (0.92), and Q*-index (0.86). Subgroup analyses were performed for sample types (serum/plasma), reference genes (RNU6, miR-39, and miR-24), and region to determine the diagnostic power of microRNAs in the diagnosis of BT using pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, AUC, and DOR.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggested that circulating microRNAs might be potential markers for noninvasive early detection of BT.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Circulating microRNAs
• brain tumors
• glioma
• glioblastoma
• diagnostic biomarker

Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely appreciate Mr. Adel Minaie for his help with the design of the graphical abstract.

Authorship statement

All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this article, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given their approval for this version to be published.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the first author, upon a reasonable request.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.