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ReviewClinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology2026

Prognostic Utility of the Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Yun-Ting Wang, Adarsh Kudva, Yen-Ting Lu, Liang-Tseng Kuo, Chia-Hsuan Lai, Yuan-Hsiung Tsai, Chun-Ta Liao, Ku-Hao Fang, Chung-Jan Kang, Ethan I Huang and 4 more

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PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical and experimental otorhinolaryngology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

14 authors.

Yun-Ting WangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Adarsh KudvaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, India.
Yen-Ting LuDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Liang-Tseng KuoCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chia-Hsuan LaiCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Yuan-Hsiung TsaiCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chun-Ta LiaoCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ku-Hao FangCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chung-Jan KangCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Ethan I HuangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Cheng-Ming HsuDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Geng-He ChangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Ming-Shao TsaiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Yao-Te TsaiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.

Funding

Chang Gung Medical Foundation CMRPG6L0232
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe prognostic value of the pretreatment albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in head and neck cancer (HNC) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the predictive role of AAPR for survival outcomes in patients with HNC.

methodsA comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to July 30, 2024. We included studies on AAPR and survival outcomes in HNC patients.

resultsEight studies comprising 1,737 HNC patients were analyzed using random-effects models. Lower AAPR values were significantly correlated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08), progression-free survival (HR, 2.00), and disease-free survival (HR, 2.18). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results, with no significant publication bias detected.

conclusionOur findings suggest that pretreatment AAPR could serve as a valuable and cost-effective prognostic indicator in HNC, potentially aiding clinicians in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. However, additional validation studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability.

Indexed as

Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase RatioHead and Neck CancerMeta-AnalysisSurvivalSystematic Review

Identifiers

PMID40735896
PMCPMC12973494

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