The Diagnostic Value of LncRNAs for Bladder Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: In recent years, qualitative and quantitative analysis of LncRNA has been reported as a potential method for early diagnosis of bladder cancer, but the results from each research are insufficient and not completely consistent. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of LncRNA for BC.Methods: We conducted a diagnostic meta-analysis and the diagnostic significance of LncRNA in blood, urine and tumor tissues was discussed. We searched the PUBMED, EMABASE, and Cochrane Library until June 2020. The current meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.2, Stata 16.0 and Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Results: A total of 18 researches involving early and/or advanced bladder cancer were finally included. The overall diagnostic accuracy was measured as follows: pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.72 (95%CI:0.70, 0.73) and 0.76 (95%CI: 0.75, 0.78). Pooled positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 3.09 (95%CI: 2.66, 3.58) and 0.37 (95%CI: 0.33, 0.42). Combined diagnostic odds ratio was 9.43 (95%CI: 7.30, 12.20). A high diagnostic accuracy was demonstrated by the summary receiver operating characteristic curve, with area under the curve of 0.82 (95%CI: 0.78, 0.85). UCA1 and H19 had the best diagnostic effect, their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 80%, 79% and 79%, 73% respectively, the combined diagnostic odds ratio was 16.85 and 12.67 respectively.Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that LncRNA have great potential in the diagnosis of bladder cancer, UCA1 and H19 had the best diagnostic effect. LncRNA panel is the future development direction in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. However, larger sample researches are needed to further confirm our conclusion.