The Prognostic Value of SOX2 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of SOX2 expression in tumor with clinicopathological features and survival of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: Publications assessing the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic significance of SOX2 in NSCLC were identified up to May 2013. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed using standard statistical methods to clarify the association between SOX2 expression and these clinical parameters. RESULTS: A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of these data showed that SOX2 expression was positively associated with squamous histology, (pooled OR = 5.26, 95% CI: 1.08–25.6, P = 0.040). Simultaneously, we also found that SOX2 expression was positively associated with overall survival (pooled HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.89, P = 0.007, random-effect). CONCLUSIONS: SOX2 expression in tumor is a candidate positive prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients.