In a nutshell
This study investigated whether the SOX2 gene is linked to improved survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Some background
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, but its prognosis remains poor. Individual prognostic factors are important in helping both patients and doctors guide medical decisions. Different gene expressions (how active certain genes are in the tumor cells) are known to effect disease progression and may help predict patient outcome. Recent research suggests that expression of the SOX2 gene, which is usually associated with the growth of stem cells, may affect the prognosis of NSCLC patients. However, the few studies conducted on the expression of SOX2 in lung cancer patients have reported conflicting results.
Methods & findings
In this meta-analysis (an analysis of combined data from several similar studies) researchers reviewed 8 studies that examined SOX2 expression in a total of 1,941 NSCLC patients. Study periods varied in length from 12 to 169 months.
Overall, high SOX2 expression was associated with a 35% reduction in the risk of death. SOX2 expression was not linked to clinical features of the tumor, such as size or the likelihood of metastasis (spread of the cancer to other organs). SOX2 expression was also found to be unrelated to former or current smoking.
The bottom line
This analysis concluded that SOX2 gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer patients may increase the likelihood of prolonged survival.
Published By :
PLOS ONE
Date :
Aug 19, 2013
