Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in predicting cancer occurrence.MethodA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2024. Observational s...

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Main Authors: I-Wen Chen, Wei-Ting Wang, Jheng-Yan Wu, Chia-Hung Yu, Ying-Jen Chang, Kuo-Chuan Hung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1532253/full
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author I-Wen Chen
Wei-Ting Wang
Jheng-Yan Wu
Chia-Hung Yu
Ying-Jen Chang
Kuo-Chuan Hung
author_facet I-Wen Chen
Wei-Ting Wang
Jheng-Yan Wu
Chia-Hung Yu
Ying-Jen Chang
Kuo-Chuan Hung
author_sort I-Wen Chen
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in predicting cancer occurrence.MethodA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2024. Observational studies reporting the diagnostic efficacy of the TyG index in predicting cancer occurrence using ROC curve analysis were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model.ResultsEleven studies with 46,658 participants were included. Patients with cancer had a significantly higher TyG index than those without cancer (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.23-0.45). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the TyG index for predicting cancer occurrence were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62-0.74) and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54-0.74), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.68-0.75), indicating good discriminatory ability. Subgroup analysis of female participants yielded similar results, with an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.69-0.77).ConclusionThe TyG index demonstrates good discriminatory ability and may have potential as an adjunct screening tool to help identify individuals at a higher risk of developing cancer. However, this should be interpreted alongside other established risk factors, as many confounding factors (including cancer type, genetic predisposition, and other malignancy risk factors) must be considered. Further research is needed to establish optimal cut-off values, which likely vary across different cancer types, and to investigate their diagnostic accuracy in diverse populations.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024573712.
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spelling doaj-art-3824ae96360d47f599f73e4683e9fbed2025-08-20T02:56:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-05-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15322531532253Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysisI-Wen Chen0Wei-Ting Wang1Jheng-Yan Wu2Chia-Hung Yu3Ying-Jen Chang4Kuo-Chuan Hung5Department of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, TaiwanDepartment of Anesthesiology, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanDepartment of Nutrition, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, TaiwanDepartment of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, TaiwanDepartment of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, TaiwanDepartment of Anesthesiology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, TaiwanObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in predicting cancer occurrence.MethodA comprehensive literature search was conducted in Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to July 2024. Observational studies reporting the diagnostic efficacy of the TyG index in predicting cancer occurrence using ROC curve analysis were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model.ResultsEleven studies with 46,658 participants were included. Patients with cancer had a significantly higher TyG index than those without cancer (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.23-0.45). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the TyG index for predicting cancer occurrence were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62-0.74) and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54-0.74), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.68-0.75), indicating good discriminatory ability. Subgroup analysis of female participants yielded similar results, with an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.69-0.77).ConclusionThe TyG index demonstrates good discriminatory ability and may have potential as an adjunct screening tool to help identify individuals at a higher risk of developing cancer. However, this should be interpreted alongside other established risk factors, as many confounding factors (including cancer type, genetic predisposition, and other malignancy risk factors) must be considered. Further research is needed to establish optimal cut-off values, which likely vary across different cancer types, and to investigate their diagnostic accuracy in diverse populations.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024573712.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1532253/fulltriglyceride-glucose indexTyGcancerssensitivityspecificityprediction
spellingShingle I-Wen Chen
Wei-Ting Wang
Jheng-Yan Wu
Chia-Hung Yu
Ying-Jen Chang
Kuo-Chuan Hung
Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
Frontiers in Oncology
triglyceride-glucose index
TyG
cancers
sensitivity
specificity
prediction
title Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
title_full Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
title_fullStr Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
title_short Diagnostic performance of the triglyceride-glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer: a meta-analysis
title_sort diagnostic performance of the triglyceride glucose index in predicting occurrence of cancer a meta analysis
topic triglyceride-glucose index
TyG
cancers
sensitivity
specificity
prediction
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1532253/full
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