BACKGROUND: Various studies have assessed the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but their results remain controversial. METHODS: Studies published up to January 2013 were collected. A total of 16 studies involving 1179 patients were reviewed. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of EGFR in patients with NPC. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using fixed-effects or random-effects models. RESULTS: EGFR overexpression had significantly poor effect on overall survival (OS; HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.25-2.77), disease-free survival (DFS; HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.66-3.04) and locoregional control (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.71-5.02). However, the association between EGFR overexpression and distant metastasis-free survival was not statistically significant (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.72-2.67). CONCLUSION: EGFR overexpression can be a prognostic factor for patients with NPC.
BACKGROUND: Various studies have assessed the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but their results remain controversial. METHODS: Studies published up to January 2013 were collected. A total of 16 studies involving 1179 patients were reviewed. A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the prognostic role of EGFR in patients with NPC. The combined hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using fixed-effects or random-effects models. RESULTS:EGFR overexpression had significantly poor effect on overall survival (OS; HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.25-2.77), disease-free survival (DFS; HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.66-3.04) and locoregional control (HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.71-5.02). However, the association between EGFR overexpression and distant metastasis-free survival was not statistically significant (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.72-2.67). CONCLUSION:EGFR overexpression can be a prognostic factor for patients with NPC.