Effects of long noncoding RNA on prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is reported to be upregulated in many tumors. Although the expression of lncRNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma has been assessed, the association between lncRNA expression and prognosis or clinicopathological feature still remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to verify whether lncRNA expression was related to prognosis or clinicopathological features in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases from inception to February 2021. The language included Chinese and English. The published literature on lncRNA expression and prognosis or clinicopathological characteristics of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma was statistically analyzed. The combination of hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were applied to evaluate the effects of lncRNA on the prognosis and clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma. RESULTS: This study could provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence of lncRNA on the prognosis and clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our study will provide the updated evidence to judge the lncRNA on the prognosis and clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma.