Background: Breast cancer has emerged as the predominant malignant neoplasm globally, with potential implications for patient prognosis based on blood lipid profiles. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze the influence of lipid levels on the prognostic outcomes of individuals with breast cancer.
Methods: A thorough search was performed across multiple academic databases, including Embase, Cochrane, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Database, up to March 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the impact of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) on the prognosis of Breast Cancer. The primary outcome measure was hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) and/or disease-free survival (DFS).
Results: Eight studies meeting inclusion criteria from a total of 13,292 were included in the meta-analysis. The systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate an association between lower HDL-C levels and poorer survival outcomes. However, the statistical analysis did not find significant associations between HDL-C, TG, and LDL-C levels and the prognosis of breast cancer patients.
Conclusion: While our analysis reveals a link between reduced HDL-C levels and unfavorable survival outcomes, the statistical evidence does not support significant connections between HDL-C, TG, and LDL-C concentrations and the prognostic landscape for breast cancer patients. Further research is warranted to explore these relationships more comprehensively.
Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42021297118.
Keywords: blood lipid levels; breast cancer; disease-free survival; overall survival; prognosis.
Copyright © 2025 Song, Jin, Yu, Wu and Gao.