Prognostic significance of CRLF2 in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis and systematic review

The association between cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2) and clinical outcomes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been a topic of ongoing debate, with divergent findings. This article intended to investigate the influence of CRLF2 alterations on ALL prognosis. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this meta-analysis was conducted. Hazard ratio (HR) values and confidence intervals (CIs) were the primary statistical measures used. Data heterogeneity was judged using the chi-square test and I² statistic. Publication bias was appraised with funnel plots, Begg's test, and Egger's test. 16 studies with 6771 patients were finally screened out. CRLF2 over-expression (CRLF2 OE) was associated with poorer event-free survival (EFS) (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.18–2.44, P = 0.004) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.28–2.24, P = 0.000) in pediatric ALL. Patients with CRLF2-deregulation (CRLF2-d), also known as CRLF2 rearrangement, exhibited shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.49–3.32, P = 0.000), EFS (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.43–2.60, P = 0.000), and RFS (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.53–3.18, P = 0.000) compared to those without CRLF2-d. Subgroup analysis of multivariate HRs and corresponding CIs indicated that childhood with CRLF2 OE had a shorter RFS (HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.28–2.24, P = 0.006), and CRLF2-d was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker for OS (HR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.49–3.32, P = 0.000), EFS (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.44–2.64, P = 0.000), and RFS (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.53–3.18, P = 0.000) in pediatric ALL patients. Both CRLF2 OE and CRLF2-d are associated with poor prognosis in ALL patients.