Neuron specific enolase and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The predictive and prognostic role of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still under debate. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relation between serum NSE levels and the prognosis of NSCLC. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of published studies assessing the association of NSE with the prognosis of NSCLC. Literature retrieval, trials' selection and assessment, data collection, and statistical analysis were performed according to the Revman 5.0 guidelines. A fixed-effect model was used to pool the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS A total of 8 eligible studies that included 2389 NSCLC patients were analyzed. We did not find prognostic value of NSE for NSCLC (HR=1.17, 95% CI: 0.95-1.44, p=0.14). CONCLUSION The present study indicated that serum NSE level is of no prognostic significance in patients with NSCLC.