Prognostic value of high-expression of miR-17-92 cluster in various tumors: evidence from a meta-analysis

The prognostic value of miR-17-92 cluster high-expression in various tumors remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis by searching literatures in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure to identify eligible studies. Eventually, we analyzed 36 articles that examined 17 tumor types from 4965 patients. Consequently, high-expression of miR-17-92 cluster in various tumors was associated with unfavorable overall survival in both univariate (HR = 2.05, 95%CI: 1.58–2.65, P<0.001) and multivariate (HR = 2.14, 95%CI: 1.75–2.61, P<0.001) analyses. Likewise, similar results were found in different subgroups of country, test method, miR-17-92 cluster component, sample source and size. Additionally, high-expression of miR-17-92 cluster was linked with poor disease-free survival (Univariate: HR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.55–2.48, P<0.001; Multivariate: HR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.63–2.91, P<0.001), favorable progression-free survival (Univariate: HR = 0.36, 95%CI: 0.16–0.80, P = 0.012; Multivariate: HR = 1.55, 95%CI: 0.79–3.05, P = 0.201) and poor cancer specific survival in univariate rather than multivariate analyses (Univariate: HR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.21–2.60, P = 0.004; Multivariate: HR = 1.77, 95%CI: 0.80–3.92, P = 0.160). However, no association of miR-17-92 cluster high-expression was detected with recurrence or relapse-free survival. In summary, this meta-analysis towards high-expression of miR-17-92 cluster has indicated poor prognosis of various cancers. Notably, future studies comprising large cohort size from multicenter are required to confirm our conclusions.