Tumor-associated neutrophils as a new prognostic factor in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 6;9(6):e98259. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098259. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Purpose: Tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) have been reported in a variety of malignancies. We conducted an up-to-date meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic role of TAN in cancer.

Method: Pubmed, Embase and web of science databases were searched for studies published up to April 2013. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The impact of neutrophils localization and primary antibody were also assessed.

Results: A total of 3946 patients with various solid tumors from 20 studies were included. High density of intratumoral neutrophils were independently associated with unfavorable survival; the pooled HRs were 1.68 (95%CI: 1.36-2.07, I2 = 55.8%, p<0.001) for recurrence-free survival (RFS)/disease-free survival (DFS), 3.36 (95%CI: 2.08-5.42, I2 = 0%, p<0.001) for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and 1.66 (95%CI: 1.37-2.01, I2 = 70.5%, p<0.001) for overall survival (OS). Peritumoral and stromal neutrophils were not statistically significantly associated with survival. When grouped by primary antibody, the pooled HRs were 1.80 (95%CI: 1.47-2.22, I2 = 67.7%, p<0.001) for CD66b, and 1.44 (95%CI: 0.90-2.30, I2 = 45.9%, p = 0.125) for CD15, suggesting that CD66b positive TAN might have a better prognostic value than CD15.

Conclusion: High levels of intratumoral neutrophils are associated with unfavorable recurrence-free, cancer-specific and overall survival.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lewis X Antigen / genetics
  • Lewis X Antigen / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CEACAM8 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Lewis X Antigen

Grants and funding

The work was supported by Provincial science and technology development plan of Shandong (2012GG0021836), Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Shandong (ZR2013HZ001). FD has received research grant from Health Research Fund of Central Denmark Region and the Danish Cancer Society. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.