The prediction value of LOXL-2 in the clinical pathology and prognosis of cancers: A meta-analysis and bioinformatics analysis

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a key enzyme involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, and its high expression is associated with cancer progression. This study aims to assess the relationship between LOXL2 expression and clinical prognosis in cancer patients through meta-analysis and bioinformatics. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases until December 2023. Studies reporting the relationship between LOXL2 expression and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) were included. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to evaluate sources of heterogeneity. A total of 30 studies with 5021 patients were included. High LOXL2 expression was significantly associated with poor OS (HR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.65-2.23, P < 0.001) and DFS (HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.39-2.36, P < 0.001). LOXL2 expression correlated with several clinicopathological features, including tumor size (OR = 1.53, P = 0.006), lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.71, P = 0.016), and distant metastasis (OR = 2.63, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these results. High LOXL2 expression is a reliable prognostic biomarker for various cancers, correlating with poor survival outcomes and advanced clinical features. LOXL2 may serve as a therapeutic target to improve cancer prognosis and treatment.