Brain tumors and circulating micrornas: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

Purpose Brain tumors (BT) are among the most prevalent cancers in recent years. Various studies have examined the diagnostic role of microRNAs in different diseases; however, their diagnostic role in BT has not been comprehensively investigated. This meta-analysis was performed to assess microRNAs in the blood of patients with BTs accurately. Methods Twenty-six eligible studies were included for analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under curve (AUC), Q*index, summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) were assessed using the Meta-Disc V.1.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.3 software. Results The diagnostic accuracy of microRNA was high in identifying BT based on the pooled sensitivity 0.82 (95%CI: 0.816-0.84), specificity 0.82 (95%CI: 0.817-0.84), PLR 5.101 (95%CI: 3.99-6.51), NLR 0.187 (95%CI: 0.149-0.236), DOR 34.07 (95%CI: 22.56-51.43) as well as AUC (0.92), and Q*-index (0.86). Subgroup analyses were performed for sample types (serum/plasma), reference genes (RNU6, miR-39, and miR-24), and region to determine the diagnostic power of microRNAs in the diagnosis of BT using pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, AUC, and DOR. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggested that circulating microRNAs might be potential markers for noninvasive early detection of BT.

Automated summary

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of microRNAs in the blood for brain tumors. The results showed that microRNAs have high diagnostic accuracy in identifying brain tumors. Subgroup analyses were also performed to determine the influence of sample types, reference genes, and regions on the diagnostic power of microRNAs.