Modified Glasgow prognostic score as a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), a combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin levels, reflects systemic inflammation and nutritional status. This score has been shown to have prognosis value for various tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the prognostic value of mGPS for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Literature search was conducted based on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to December 2018. We pooled HRs and 95% CIs to evaluate the correlation between mGPS and survival in patients with RCC. RESULTS: Twelve studies comprising 2,391 patients were included in the present study for quantitative synthesis. Our studies demonstrated that higher mGPS was significantly correlated to poor overall survival (HR=4.31; 95%CI, 2.78–6.68; P<0.001), cancer-specific survival (HR=5.88; 95%CI, 3.93–8.78; P<0.001), recurrence-free survival (HR=3.15; 95%CI, 2.07–4.79; P<0.001), and progression-free survival (HR=1.91; 95%CI, 1.27–2.89; P=0.002). Subgroup analyses also confirmed the overall results. CONCLUSION: mGPS could serve as a predictive tool for the survival of patients with RCC. In the different subgroups, the results are also consistent with previous results. In conclusion, pretreatment higher mGPS is associated with poorer survival in patients with RCC. Further external validations are necessary to strengthen this concept.