Meta-analysis of the predictive value of DNA aneuploidy in malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders

DNA aneuploidy is an imbalance of chromosomal DNA content that has been highlighted as a predictor of biological behavior and risk of malignant transformation. To date, DNA aneuploidy in oral potentially malignant diseases (OPMD) has been shown to correlate strongly with severe dysplasia and high-risk lesions that appeared non-dysplastic can be identified by ploidy analysis. Nevertheless, the prognostic value of DNA aneuploidy in predicting malignant transformation of OPMD remains to be validated. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the role of DNA aneuploidy in predicting malignant transformation in OPMD. The questions addressed were 1) Is DNA aneuploidy a useful marker to predict malignant transformation in OPMD? 2) Is DNA diploidy a useful negative marker of malignant transformation in OPMD? These questions were addressed using the PECO method. Five studies assessing aneuploidy as a risk marker of malignant change were pooled into the meta-analysis. Aneuploidy was found to be associated with a 3.12-fold increased risk to progress into cancer (RR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.86-5.24). Based on the 5 studies meta-analyzed, “no malignant progression” was more likely to occur in DNA diploid OPMD by 82% when compared to aneuploidy (RR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.08 – 0.41). In conclusion, aneuploidy is a useful marker of malignant transformation in OPMD, though a diploid result should be interpreted with caution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.