CT Characteristics of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Rearrangement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding CT features of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to February 20, 2019. Studies that evaluated CT features of NSCLC with and without ALK rearrangement was included. Methodologic quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. The association between CT features and ALK rearrangement was pooled in the form of the odds ratio (OR) or the mean difference (MD) using the random-effects model. Heterogeneity was examined using the inconsistency index ( ). Publication bias was examined using funnel plots and Egger tests. Sixteen studies were included, consisting of 3113 patients with NSCLC. The overall prevalence of patients with ALK rearrangement was 17% (528/3113). Compared with NSCLC without ALK rearrangement, on CT images those with ALK rearrangement were more frequently solid (OR = 2.86), central in location (OR = 2.72), and 3 cm or smaller (OR = 0.57); had lower contrast-enhanced CT attenuation (MD = -4.79 HU); more frequently had N2 or N3 disease (OR = 5.63), lymphangitic carcinomatosis (OR = 3.46), pleural effusion (OR = 1.91), or pleural metastasis (OR = 1.81); and less frequently had lung metastasis (OR = 0.66). Heterogeneity varied among CT features ( = 0-80%). No significant publication bias was seen ( = 0.15). NSCLC with ALK rearrangement had several distinctive CT features compared with that without ALK rearrangement. These CT biomarkers may help identify patients likely to have ALK rearrangement.