Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42110438›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2026

Expression of Claudin-18.2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mohammed Al Subhi, Deema Al-Nabhani, Maryam Al Sarmi, Ahmed Abd Elrahman, Yaqoob AlSawafi, Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla, Younis Al-Mufargi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. 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
–field-weighted citation impact
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.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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

7 authors.

Mohammed Al SubhiSchool of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Deema Al-NabhaniSchool of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Maryam Al SarmiRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Ahmed Abd ElrahmanDepartment of General Surgery, Medical City for Military and Security Services, Muscat, Oman.
Yaqoob AlSawafiDepartment of General Surgery, Medical City for Military and Security Services, Muscat, Oman.
Srinivasa Rao SirasanagandlaDepartment of Human and Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
Younis Al-MufargiDepartment of General Surgery, Medical City for Military and Security Services, Muscat, Oman.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2), a tight junction protein, has emerged as a promising molecular target in gastrointestinal cancers. However, its expression pattern and clinicopathological relevance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unclear. Objective: To assess the prevalence, tumor-specific, and clinicopathological associations of CLDN18.2 expression in PDAC, and to identify sources of heterogeneity to clarify its value as a therapeutic target. Methods: A systematic search across six major databases was conducted from inception to August 2025 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Included studies evaluated CLDN18.2 expression in adult PDAC using defined immunohistochemistry protocols. Random-effects models estimated pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs), with subgroup analyses exploring heterogeneity. Results: Sixteen studies including 2,025 patients with PDAC were included. The pooled prevalence of CLDN18.2 expression was 51.60% (95% CI: 40.93-62.19), with substantial heterogeneity (I Conclusion: CLDN18.2 is frequently expressed in PDAC and shows high tumor specificity, supporting its relevance as a therapeutic biomarker. Despite assay variability, even under stringent clinical trial criteria, a meaningful subset of patients may qualify for CLDN18.2-targeted therapy. These findings highlight the need for standardized testing and further clinical evaluation of CLDN18.2-directed strategies in PDAC.

Indexed as

biomarkerClaudin-18.2CLDN18.2immunohistochemistrymeta-analysispancreatic ductal adenocarcinomazolbetuximab

Identifiers

PMID42110438
PMCPMC13152742

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Registered trials

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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.