Predictive Role of CC-Chemokine Ligand 2 in Digestive System Cancers: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: CC-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) expression as a prognostic factor in digestive system cancers (DSCs) is inconclusive. Methods:Thus, our aim was to summarize the prognostic role of CCL2 in DSCs. Electronic database was carefully searched. Studies focusing on CCL2 expression as a prognostic marker in DSCs were included for analysis. Pooled data for survival outcomes and clinical features were recorded in terms of the hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI).Results: In all,1,458 patients with DSCs from 11 studies were included for analysis.The pooled data revealed that high CCL2 expression group was more easy to occur the presence of distal metastases (OR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.98–7.38, P < 0.001), severer tumor invasion (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.31–4.34, P = 0.005), and advanced Tumor Nodal Metastasis stages (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.12–5.45, P = 0.02). Moreover, poorer overall survival (HR = 2.09, P < 0.001) were observed in the group with high CCL2 expression. High levels of CCL2 also indicated dismay disease-free survival (HR = 1.87, P = 0.005) .Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CCL2 can serve as a prognostic indicator in DSCs.