Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32000400›Full record

SynthesisMedicine2020

A meta-analysis evaluating the relationship between B-type Raf kinase mutation and cervical lymphatic metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer.

Hongzhi Ma, Ru Wang, Jugao Fang, Qi Zhong, Xiao Chen, Lizhen Hou, Ling Feng, Xiaohong Chen, Zhigang Huang, Huanhu Zhao

Open access · goldAbstract readMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Medicine, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 43% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Hongzhi MaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Ru WangDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Jugao FangDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Qi ZhongDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Xiao ChenDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Lizhen HouDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Ling FengDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Xiaohong ChenDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Zhigang HuangDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Thyroid Center, Beijing Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing.
Huanhu ZhaoSchool of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, China.
Beijing Tongren Hospital · CNCapital Medical University · CNMinzu University of China · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundB-type Raf kinase (BRAF) mutation is proved to be a critical predictive factor in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) with aggressive characteristics. However, the association between BRAF mutation and cervical lymphatic metastasis in PTC is controversial.

methodsWe searched papers on the study of BRAF mutation and cervical lymphatic metastasis in PTC patients through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochranelibrary. The BRAF (+) cases, BRAF (-) cases, and cervical lymphphatic metastatic cases in both BRAF (+) and BRAF (-) groups were collected. After Quality assessment, statistical Analysis (funnel plot and Harbord evaluation, Random-effect model, heterogeneity, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and metacum analysis) were done by the Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3 and stata14 statistical software.

resultsThere were 78 cross-section studies which met our inclusion criteria. And all of them had no selection bias, publication bias, or any other bias. A significant association existed between BRAF mutation and cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-1.84; P < .05). Overall, 46 studies were conducted among East Asians. Twenty four articles had provided the data of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM), 11 articles with the data of lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM), and classic/conventional PTC (CPTC) was analyzed in 10 studies. Subgroup analyses were performed based on ethnicity, metastatic site, and subtype of PTC. Significant association between BRAF (+) mutation and cervical LNM were indicated in East Asians (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.49-2.02; P < .05), in non-East Asians (OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.26-1.96; P < .05), and in CLNM (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.56-2.07; P < .05). While no significant association was found in LLNM (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 0.76-2.48; P = .29 > .05) and in CPTC (OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.97-1.80; P = .08 > .05). We did not find any other major changes when sensitivity analysis was performed. The metacum analysis showed no significant association existed before 2012. While a significant association began to exist between BRAF mutation and LNM from 2012, and this association became stable from 2017.

conclusionsWe consider that a significant association exists between BRAF mutation and cervical LNM. Further meta-analysis on subgroup may reveal some valuable factors between BRAF gene mutation and LNM. And we do not recommend that BRAF (+) as the biomarker for LNM in PTC.

Indexed as

HumansLymphatic MetastasisNeckProto-Oncogene Proteins B-rafraf KinasesThyroid Cancer, PapillaryThyroid NeoplasmsBRAF protein, humanProto-Oncogene Proteins B-rafraf Kinases

Identifiers

PMID32000400
PMCPMC7004699
OpenAlexW3004132930

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.