AUTHOR=Liao Dan , Lin Qiu , Xiao Huan , Zhang Fenglian , Han Qin TITLE=Circular RNAs as Prognostic Biomarkers in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2022.878700 DOI=10.3389/fgene.2022.878700 ISSN=1664-8021 ABSTRACT=Background: Recently, several studies have shown circRNAs play critical role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) oncogenesis and development. However, whether the level of expression of circRNAs in RCC is correlated with the prognosis still be not clear. Hence, we conducted the meta-analysis to explore the association between the circRNAs expression level and prognosis of RCC patients. Methods: We systematically searched OVID, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of science from Jan, 1950 to June, 2021 for literature published in English. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a meta-analysis of 21 selected studies to confirm the association between the circRNAs expression level and prognosis of RCC. Results: This meta-analysis includes twenty articles and containing 1559 RCC patients. The result showed that oncogenic circRNAs overexpression (OS: HR=2.04, 95%CI: 1.63-2.56, P=0.20; PFS: HR=2.82, 95%CI: 0.82-9.72, P=0.03) and tumor-suppressor circRNAs lower expression (OS: HR:1.92, 95%CI: 1.61-2.30, P<0.05; PFS: HR:2.40, 95%CI: 1.76-3.28, P=0.36) was closely related with poor survival outcomes. Conclusion: The meta-analysis verifies that circRNAs can be potential prognostic biomarkers of RCC.