Clinicopathological Significance of RhoA Expression in Digestive Tract Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: RhoA protein expression has been reported in different types of cancer. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of RhoA protein expression in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: We searched in several databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to identify studies examining the association between RhoA protein and cancer. The quality of the included studies was assessed. Cochrane Collaboration's Software Review Manager 5.3 was utilized to test the heterogeneity, overall effect, and publication bias of the combined studies. The reported odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by using fixed and random effects models depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis. RhoA expression was significantly higher in gastrointestinal cancer than in normal tissues. RhoA protein expression in digestive system neoplasms was significantly associated with tumor clinical staging, metastatic status and differentiated degree. However, no association with gender was found. RhoA mRNA expression was no associated with clinicopathological significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the conclusion that RhoA expression is associated with clinical staging, metastatic status, and differentiated degree in digestive system neoplasms. RhoA expression may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer.