Long noncoding RNAs as potential biomarkers in retinoblastoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant rare intraocular tumor of childhood. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported participating in its progression, but their significance remains inconclusive. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore specific lncRNA biomarker in patients with retinoblastoma. Eligible articles were searched from the Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane library. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were extracted or calculated to evaluate the relationship between lncRNAs and retinoblastoma. The meta-analysis part was conducted with STATA v.15 software. A total of 9 articles with 834 retinoblastoma patients are yielded. Heterogeneity among HRs of overall survival (OS) is notably high (I2 = 91.3%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis suggests that elevated expression of lncRNA BDNF-AS and MT1JP are favorable factors in OS (pooled HR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.72–2.07, I2 = 0%). Six articles included optic nerve invasion as a clinicopathological outcome and showed a notable correlation (pooled HR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.26–3.50, I2 = 0.0%). We validate our analysis via the public dataset and also sum up the studies of lncRNA BDNF-AS and MT1JP in other cancers. Differential expression of lncRNAs has been reported in retinoblastoma. Some of them showed potential in retinoblastoma prognosis and progression.