Osteopontin as a prognostic biomarker in head and neck cancer– a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Osteopontin (OPN) is linked to cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance in head and neck cancer (HNC). This meta-analysis evaluated OPN as a prognostic biomarker in HNC. A comprehensive search was conducted for studies published up to December 2023, including English papers on HNC analyzing OPN expression. Data extraction, quality assessment, and quantitative analysis were performed using fixed and random effect models with 95% CI. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed with I2 and Egger’s regression test. Fifty-one studies were included. OPN expression was significantly elevated in tissue and plasma in HNC compared to control (SMD 0.98; 95% CI 0.47–1.49; I2 = 13%; p < 0.00). High plasma OPN predicted poor survival (HR: 2.00; I2 = 64%; P = 0.03), as did high tissue OPN (hazard ratio: 2.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.51–4.87; I2 = 49.4%, p > 0.05). Elevated plasma OPN correlated with smoking, poorly differentiated neoplasms, larger tumors, advanced stage, and lymph node metastasis. Positive tissue OPN was associated with nodal involvement, advanced stage, male gender, and smoking. OPN is a robust prognostic biomarker in HNC, indicating tumor aggressiveness and poor prognostic outcomes. Standardized measurement protocols and further validation in prospective studies are necessary.