Prognostic significance of long non-coding RNAs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer in adults, and patients with advanced ccRCC have a 5-year survival rate of <30%. The poor prognosis of ccRCC is closely related to its lacking of potential therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers. This meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the precise prognostic value of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in patients with ccRCC. METHODS: A literature search was performed in related databases up to January 31, 2019. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to explore the relationship between special lncRNAs expression and survival in patients with ccRCC. RESULTS: After literature researching, a total of 16 studies, including 13 lncRNAs were identified. The data from studies that investigated the association between lncRNA expression and survival outcomes in patients with ccRCC were extracted. Results revealed that lncRNAs expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) outcome in patients with ccRCC (HR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.40–2.01 in up-regulated subgroup; HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.25–0.80 in down-regulated subgroup). The overexpression of PVT1 was significantly associated with poor OS in ccRCC (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.02–2.00). Meanwhile, up-regulation of LUCAT1 was significantly related to worse OS in ccRCC patients (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.01–2.00). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that lncRNAs could be used to predict unfavorable prognosis and function as potential prognostic biomarkers in ccRCC.