Background

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas is a mucin-producing and cystic tumour growing inside the pancreatic duct and forming papillary projections (Klöppel et al. 2014; Klöppel and Kosmahl 2001). IPMN is considered as a precursor of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and comprised of about 16–24 % of cystic pancreatic lesions (Klöppel et al. 2014; Klöppel and Kosmahl 2001). IPMN forms a multilocular cystic lesion and is difficult to distinguish from mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) (Klöppel et al. 2014; Klöppel and Kosmahl 2001).

Recently, genetic studies of IPMN lead to discover mutations of new genes, including GNAS, and RNF43 (Macgregor-Das and Iacobuzio-Donahue 2013; Reid et al. 2014). In addition to the previously known genetic alteration such as KRAS, these gene mutations open a new viewpoint in the field of the molecular pathogenesis of IPMN. Nevertheless, the frequencies and clinicopathologic significances of KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 have not been clearly delineated. Activating GNAS mutation at codon 201 has been identified in IPMNs of the pancreas, which runs from 36 to 79 % (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kanda et al. 2013; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Siddiqui et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Takano et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011b). Moreover, the wide extreme diversity of KRAS mutation in IPMN patients, ranged from 13 to 100 %, has been observed (Amato et al. 2014; Chadwick et al. 2009; Chang et al. 2014; Fritz et al. 2009; Furukawa et al. 2005; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Jang et al. 2009; Kaino et al. 1999; Kitago et al. 2004; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Kondo et al. 1997; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Lubezky et al. 2011; Mizuno et al. 2010; Mohri et al. 2012; Mueller et al. 2003; Mulligan et al. 1999; Nakata et al. 2002; Paal et al. 1999; Raimondo et al. 2002; Schönleben et al. 2008; Sessa et al. 1994; Siddiqui et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Tada et al. 1991; Takano et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Uemura et al. 2003; Wada et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2011b; Yoshizawa et al. 2002). The frequency of RNF43 mutation was ranged from 14 to 75 % (Amato et al. 2014; Sakamoto et al. 2015; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011a).

Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to know the exact prevalence of KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 mutations in IPMN patients, and the difference between the frequency of these mutant genes in pancreatic cystic lesions. In addition, we investigated whether KRAS and GNAS mutations have clinicopathologic significances in patients with IPMN.

Methods

Data collection and selection criteria

We searched PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and EMBASE (www.embase.com) using the keywords “KRAS”, “GNAS”, “RNF43”, “pancreas” and “intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm”. We also manually searched the reference lists of the identified articles. Duplicate data or overlapping articles were excluded by examining the authors’ names and affiliations. Original articles reporting cases of KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 mutations published before June 2015 were included. When multiple articles were published by the same authors or institutions, the most recent or single informative article was selected. Articles lacking clinicopathologic data for meta-analysis, review articles without original data, conference abstracts, case reports, and articles that dealt with cell line or animal were excluded. In addition, immunohistochemical studies of RAS mutation were also excluded. There were no geographic or language restrictions. The selection process of the articles is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1
figure 1

Flow diagram of article selection for this meta-analysis

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Data pooling and statistics

Meta-analysis was performed as previously described (Lee et al. 2011). Briefly, effect sizes for each study were calculated by prevalence rate or odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) using the Mantel–Haenszel method. The prevalence rate, weighted mean difference (WMD), or OR was combined using a random-effects model (DerSimonian–Laird method). Statistical heterogeneity among studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Q test and I 2 statistics. The I 2 statistic refers to the percentage of variation across studies that is due to heterogeneity rather than chance and does not inherently depend on the number of studies considered [I 2 = 100 % × (Q-df)/Q]. We clarified the cutoff of I 2 statistics for assignment of low (<25 %), moderate (25–50 %), and high (>50 %) heterogeneities. If I 2 value was more than 50 %, subgroup analysis was done. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the influence of each study on the pooled prevalence rate, WMD, or OR by serially omitting an individual study and pooling the remaining studies. Publication bias was examined by funnel plots and Egger’s tests for the degree of asymmetry. Publication bias was assumed to be present if the P value was less than 0.1. The pooled analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis Software version 2.0 (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA).

Results

Thirty-three and eleven studies reported the frequencies of KRAS and GNAS mutations between 1253 and 835 IPMN patients, respectively (Tables 1, 2) (Amato et al. 2014; Chadwick et al. 2009; Chang et al. 2014; Fritz et al. 2009; Furukawa et al. 2005; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Jang et al. 2009; Kaino et al. 1999; Kanda et al. 2013; Kitago et al. 2004; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Kondo et al. 1997; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Lubezky et al. 2011; Mizuno et al. 2010; Mohri et al. 2012; Mueller et al. 2003; Mulligan et al. 1999; Nakata et al. 2002; Paal et al. 1999; Raimondo et al. 2002; Schönleben et al. 2008; Sessa et al. 1994; Siddiqui et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Tada et al. 1991; Takano et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Uemura et al. 2003; Wada et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2011b; Yoshizawa et al. 2002). On pooled analysis, KRAS and GNAS mutations were 60.9 % (95 % CI 54.3–67.1) and 55.8 % (95 % CI 48.5–62.8) in IPMN patients (Table 3). The KRAS and GNAS mutations did not differ according to the ethnicity, detection methods, and specimen type (Table 3). Additionally, eight studies presented the cases having both KRAS and GNAS mutations (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Siddiqui et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011b). On pooled analysis, 33.5 % (95 % CI 26.2–41.6) of IPMN patients harboured both KRAS and GNAS mutations. On the other hand, four studies (Amato et al. 2014; Sakamoto et al. 2015; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011a) described the prevalence of RNF43 mutation among 143 IPMN patients (Additional file 1: Table S1). On pooled analysis, the frequency of RNF43 mutation was 22.9 % (95 % CI 10.8–42.4).

Table 1 Characteristics of individual studies of KRAS mutation in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm
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Table 2 Characteristics of individual studies of GNAS mutation in patients with IPMN
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Table 3 Prevalence of KRAS and GNAS mutations in patients with IPMN according to the ethnicity, mutation detection, and specimen type
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Other cystic lesions

Seven (Hosoda et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Schönleben et al. 2008; Singhi et al. 2014; Uemura et al. 2003; Wu et al. 2011b; Yoshizawa et al. 2002) and four (Hosoda et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Siddiqui et al. 2013; Wu et al. 2011b) studies presented KRAS and GNAS mutations between IPMN and MCN patients. KRAS mutation was found in 239 (69 %) of 345 IPMN and 14 (21 %) of 67 MCN patients. GNAS mutation was detected in 168 (58 %) of 292 IPMN and in none of 57 MCN. The overall ORs for KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMN patients were 7.444 (95 % CI 3.850–14.392; P < 0.001, Q = 4.540, I 2 = 0.000) and 30.194 (95 % CI 7.143–127.622; P < 0.001, Q = 0.787, I 2 = 0.000), compared with those mutations in MCN, respectively (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals of individual studies and pooled data for the association of GNAS mutation with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), compared with mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN). Forest plot demonstrates the effect sizes and 95 % CIs for each study and overall

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Four (Hosoda et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) and five (Hosoda et al. 2015; Kanda et al. 2013; Lee et al. 2014; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies addressed KRAS and GNAS mutations between IPMN and serous cystadenoma (SCA) patients, respectively. KRAS mutation was found in 210 (72 %) of 292 IPMN and none (0 %) of 83 SCA patients. GNAS mutation was detected in 217 (59 %) of 370 IPMN patients and 2 (2 %) of 82 SCA patients. The overall ORs for KRAS and GNAS mutation in IPMN patients were 71.240 (95 % CI 16.856–301.086; P < 0.001, Q = 1.810, I 2 = 0.000) and 15.297 (95 % CI 4.544–51.498; P < 0.001, Q = 4.525, I 2 = 11.611), respectively.

Age and sex

The incidence of KRAS and GNAS mutations in patients with IPMN according to the patient’s sex was compared in eleven (Fritz et al. 2009; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Kondo et al. 1997; Mulligan et al. 1999; Schönleben et al. 2008; Singhi et al. 2014; Tada et al. 1991; Uemura et al. 2003; Wada et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2011b) and six (Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kanda et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Takano et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies, respectively. KRAS mutation was detected in 162 (69 %) of 236 male patients and 120 (69 %) of 173 female patients with IPMN. GNAS mutation was detected in 198 (63 %) of 314 male patients and 110 (48 %) of 229 female patients with IPMN. The overall ORs for KRAS and GNAS mutations in male patients with IPMN were 1.065 (95 % CI 0.680–1.668; P = 0.782, Q = 7.216, I 2 = 0.000) and 1.946 (95 % CI 1.156–3.278; P = 0.012, Q = 9.885, I 2 = 49.419), respectively (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Forest plot of odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for the association of GNAS mutation of IPMN with male patients

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Five (Fritz et al. 2009; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Schönleben et al. 2008; Singhi et al. 2014; Wada et al. 2004) and three (Kanda et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies presented mean age with standard deviation (SD) or p value according to KRAS and GNAS mutations, respectively. The mean age of IPMN patients with KRAS mutation ranged from 63.67 to 70.15 years, whereas the mean age of those with wild-type KRAS ranged from 64.3 to 68.58 years. The mean age of IPMN patients with GNAS mutation ranged from 62.14 to 69.54 years, whereas the mean age of those with wild-type GNAS ranged from 59 to 70.09 years. No associations were found between mean age and KRAS (WMD = 0.140; 95 % CI −0.194 to 0.475; P = 0.410, Q = 2.940, I 2 = 0.000) or GNAS (WMD = 0.099; 95 % CI −0.156 to 0.354; P = 0.448, Q = 1.838, I 2 = 0.000) mutations.

Location and tumour size

The incidence of KRAS or GNAS mutation in patients with IPMN according to the location (head versus body or tail) was compared in eight (Hosoda et al. 2015; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Kondo et al. 1997; Schönleben et al. 2008; Singhi et al. 2014; Uemura et al. 2003; Wada et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2011b) and six (Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kanda et al. 2013; Singhi et al. 2014; Takano et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies, respectively. KRAS mutation was detected in 154 (67 %) of 229 patients with IPMN arising in the pancreatic head and 97 (75 %) of 130 patients in the body or tail. GNAS mutation was detected in 168 (58 %) of 288 patients with IPMN arising in the pancreatic head and 125 (56 %) of 224 patients in the body or tail. There were no associations between KRAS or GNAS mutation and tumour location (OR 0.836, 95 % CI 0.477–1.465, P = 0.532, Q = 7.624, I 2 = 8.182 and OR 1.133, 95 % CI 0.785–1.634, P = 0.505, Q = 2.131, I 2 = 0.000, respectively).

Four (Kanda et al. 2013; Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) and three (Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014; Wada et al. 2004) studies presented mean tumour size with SD or p value according to KRAS or GNAS mutation, respectively. The average tumour size of IPMN patients with KRAS mutations ranged from 2.4 to 2.9 cm, whereas the mean size of IPMNs with wild-type KRAS ranged from 2.51 to 2.86 cm. The mean tumour size of IPMNs with GNAS mutation ranged from 1.234 to 3.859 cm, whereas the average size of IPMNs with wild-type GNAS ranged from 1.134 to 3.66 cm. No relationship was found between the average tumour size and KRAS or GNAS mutation (WMD = 0.000, 95 % CI −0.258 to 0.258, P > 0.999, Q = 0.860, I 2 = 0.000 and WMD = 0.086, 95 % CI −0.108 to 0.280, P = 0.384, Q = 0.315, I 2 = 0.000, respectively).

Macroscopic and microscopic duct types of IPMNs

Nine (Fritz et al. 2009; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kaino et al. 1999; Kobayashi et al. 2008; Kondo et al. 1997; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) and seven (Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lee et al. 2014; Singhi et al. 2014; Takano et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies addressed KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMN patients, according to the macroscopic duct type, respectively (Table 4). KRAS mutation was found in 97 (61 %) of 160 main duct type, 191 (70 %) of 272 branch duct type, and 58 (62 %) of 94 mixed duct type. GNAS mutation was found in 105 (56 %) of 187 main duct type, 160 (49 %) of 327 branch duct type, and 45 (51 %) of 89 mixed duct type. KRAS and GNAS mutations were not significantly related to main (OR 0.614, 95 % CI 0.342–1.102, P = 0.102, Q = 10.686, I 2 = 34.496 and OR 1.346, 95 % CI 0.934–1.939, P = 0.681, Q = 3.972, I 2 = 0.000, respectively) and branch duct types (OR 1.662, 95 % CI 0.859–3.216, P = 0.132, Q = 13.149, I 2 = 46.764 and OR 0.815, 95 % CI 0.585–1.136, P = 0.577, Q = 4.743, I 2 = 0.000, respectively).

Table 4 Characteristics of individual studies of KRAS and GNAS mutations in patients with IPMN according to the macroscopic duct types
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Ten (Amato et al. 2014; Chadwick et al. 2009; Fritz et al. 2009; Hosoda et al. 2015; Jang et al. 2009; Kuboki et al. 2015; Mohri et al. 2012; Singhi et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011b) and six (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011b) studies described KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMN patients, according to the microscopic duct type, respectively (Table 5). KRAS mutation was detected in 228 (73 %) of 314 gastric type, 47 (72 %) of 65 pancreatobiliary duct type, 99 (44 %) of 227 intestinal type, and 5 (29 %) of 17 oncocytic type. KRAS mutation was significantly found in gastric type (OR 2.748; 95 % CI 1.888–4.000; P < 0.001, Q = 5.679, I 2 = 0.000) with high frequency (Fig. 4), compared to its frequency in intestinal type (OR 0.311; 95 % CI 0.206–0.471; P < 0.001, Q = 10.036, I 2 = 10.324).

Table 5 Characteristics of individual studies of KRAS and GNAS mutations in patients with IPMN according to the microscopic duct types
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Fig. 4
figure 4

Forest plot of odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for the association of KRAS mutation with gastric subtype of IPMN

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On the other hand, GNAS mutation was detected in 122 (74 %) of 164 intestinal type, 137 (53 %) of 260 gastric type, 12 (24 %) of 49 pancreatobiliary duct type, and 2 (15 %) of 13 oncocytic type. GNAS mutation was significantly found in intestinal type with high frequency (OR 2.955; 95 % CI 1.771–4.929; P < 0.001, Q = 5.537, I 2 = 9.694) (Fig. 5) and was present in pancreatobiliary and oncocytic types with low frequency (OR 0.220; 95 % CI 0.108–0.450; P < 0.001, Q = 3.009, I 2 = 0.000 and OR 0.128; 95 % CI 0.031–0.537; P = 0.005, Q = 0.033, I 2 = 0.000, respectively).

Fig. 5
figure 5

Forest plot of odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for the association of GNAS mutation with intestinal subtype of IPMN

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However, KRAS mutation was not significantly associated with pancreatobiliary and oncocytic types, respectively (OR 1.604, 95 % CI 0.873–2.947, P = 0.128, Q = 4.971, I 2 = 0.000 and OR 0.415; 95 % CI 0.129–1.336; P = 0.140, Q = 3.643, I 2 = 0.000, respectively). GNAS mutation was not significantly associated with gastric type (OR 0.845, 95 % CI 0.560–1.275, P = 0.422, Q = 3.189, I 2 = 0.000, respectively).

Histologic grade and presence of adenocarcinoma

Nine (Amato et al. 2014; Chadwick et al. 2009; Fritz et al. 2009; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lubezky et al. 2011; Schönleben et al. 2008; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) and seven (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kanda et al. 2013; Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies presented KRAS and GNAS mutations of IPMN patients, according to the histologic grades. KRAS mutation was detected in 132 (58 %) of 227 high grade, 95 (70 %) of 136 intermediate grade, and 129 (63 %) of 205 low grade. KRAS mutation was detected in high grade dysplasia with lower frequency (OR 0.626; 95 % CI 0.408–0.961; P = 0.032, Q = 7.797, I 2 = 10.219) (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6
figure 6

Forest plot of odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals for the association of KRAS mutation with high-grade dysplasia of IPMN

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However, the prevalence of KRAS mutation in low and intermediate grades was not statistically significant (OR 1.521, 95 % CI 0.984–2.353, P = 0.059, Q = 1.929, I 2 = 0.000, and OR 1.139, 95 % CI 0.657–1.976, P = 0.643, Q = 8.326, I 2 = 15.929, respectively). GNAS mutation was detected in 120 (61 %) of 198 high grade, 86 (67 %) of 128 intermediate grade, and 119 (56 %) of 213 low grade. The frequency of GNAS mutation did not differ among high, intermediate, and low grades of IPMN patients (OR 0.769, 95 % CI 0.382–1.547, P = 0.461, Q = 15.126, I 2 = 60.334; OR 1.273, 95 % CI 0.786–2.060, P = 0.326, Q = 2.789, I 2 = 0.000, and OR 0.938, 95 % CI 0.500–1.761, P = 0.843, Q = 12.357, I 2 = 51.445, respectively). The subgroup analysis revealed that the detection methods influenced the relationship between GNAS mutation and high grade dysplasia of IPMN (Additional file 2: Table S2).

Twenty-one (Amato et al. 2014; Fritz et al. 2009; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Jang et al. 2009; Kondo et al. 1997; Kuboki et al. 2015; Lubezky et al. 2011; Mizuno et al. 2010; Mohri et al. 2012; Mueller et al. 2003; Mulligan et al. 1999; Nakata et al. 2002; Raimondo et al. 2002; Schönleben et al. 2008; Sessa et al. 1994; Singhi et al. 2014; Uemura et al. 2003; Wada et al. 2004; Wu et al. 2011b; Yoshizawa et al. 2002) and six (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Ideno et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014; Wu et al. 2011b) studies reported KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMN patients, according to the presence of associated pancreatic adenocarcinoma. KRAS mutation was present in 190 (64 %) of 297 IPMN patients with invasive adenocarcinoma, whereas 388 (63 %) of 620 IPMNs without adenocarcinoma. GNAS mutation was present in 80 (51 %) of 157 IPMN patients with invasive adenocarcinoma, whereas 265 (59 %) of 446 IPMNs without adenocarcinoma. No significant associations were seen between KRAS and GNAS mutations and the presence of adenocarcinoma in IPMN patients (OR 1.342, 95 % CI 0.878–2.050, P = 0.174, Q = 26.746, I 2 = 25.222, and OR 0.548, 95 % CI 0.285–1.053, P = 0.071, Q = 10.231, I 2 = 51.131, respectively). The subgroup analyses disclosed that the ethnicity and detection methods of these mutations did not influence the relationship between GNAS mutation and IPMN-associated adenocarcinoma (Additional file 2: Table S2).

Sensitivity analysis and publication bias

The sensitivity analyses showed that none of the studies affected the pooled prevalence rate, OR, or WMD with CIs, except the pooled analysis of GNAS mutation between the genders and of KRAS mutation between high grade and the other grades of IPMNs (Additional file 3: Fig. S1). Through the funnel plots and the Egger’s regression tests, the pooled results from KRAS mutation between tumour locations within the pancreas, GNAS mutation between mean tumour size and between intermediate grade and the other grades, and KRAS and GNAS mutations between microscopic duct subtypes of IPMNs showed the possibility of publication bias. However, other pooled analyses showed no evidence of publication bias (Additional file 4: Table S3) (Additional file 5: Fig. S2).

Discussion

This pooled analysis using data from 1253, 835, and 143 pancreatic IPMN patients revealed that overall KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43 mutations were detected in 61, 56, and 23 %, respectively. These gene mutation rates did not differ according to the ethnicity, detection methods, and specimen type. This meta-analysis showed that the frequencies of KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMN patients were considerably variable among microscopic duct subtypes.

The most common preoperative challenge is to distinguish IPMN from other cystic lesions of the pancreas. There are three primary types of pancreatic cystic neoplasm: IPMN, MCN, and SCA (Wu et al. 2011b). Most of the pancreatic adenocarcinomas develop from IPMNs, followed by MCNs. In contrast, SCAs do not give rise to invasive adenocarcinomas (Wu et al. 2011b). Until now, preoperative cystic fluid evaluation for CEA, amylase, DNA methylation, and microRNA expression remains suboptimal, partly because of their lack of disease specificity (Weinstein et al. 2004). Based on the high frequencies and significant ORs of KRAS and GNAS mutations in IPMNs compared to the other cystic lesions, particularly MCNs, the combined detection of KRAS and GNAS mutations from the cystic fluid would be highly valuable in the preoperative diagnosis of IPMNs.

This pooled analysis found that different mutational profile between KRAS and GNAS was significantly related to the microscopic subtypes of IPMNs, which are a determinant for the subtypes of invasive adenocarcinomas. Over 30 % of intestinal and pancreaticobiliary type IPMNs develop colloid and tubular type adenocarcinomas, respectively (Klöppel et al. 2014). In contrast, gastric type IPMNs rarely develops into invasive adenocarcinomas. When gastric type IPMNs progress to adenocarcinomas, it is the tubular type (Klöppel et al. 2014). The IPMNs with colloid adenocarcinoma is known to have a better prognosis than those with tubular adenocarcinoma (Klöppel et al. 2014; Tan et al. 2015). Colloid adenocarcinomas arising from IPMNs were associated with a high frequency of GNAS mutation (Tan et al. 2015). In agreement with the previous study (Tan et al. 2015), our results suggest that KRAS and GNAS mutational pattern may represent different pathways in the IPMN-adenocarcinoma sequence.

The GNAS gene encodes the α-subunit of the stimulatory G-protein (Gαs). Somatic activating GNAS mutation results in an elevated level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and in uncontrolled growth signalling (Landis et al. 1989; Weinstein et al. 2004). GNAS mutation has been found in various tumours, fibrous dysplasia, and McCune-Albright syndrome (Landis et al. 1989; Weinstein et al. 2004). Interestingly, most of the GNAS mutations at codon 201 in IPMNs result in either an R201H or an R201C substitution, which are the same mutation as in endocrine neoplasms (Landis et al. 1989; Weinstein et al. 2004). The endocrine tumours with activating GNAS mutations have been supposed to be associated with hormonal secretion.

Recently, inactivating nonsense mutations of RNF43 gene that encodes a protein with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity were found in IPMNs (Amato et al. 2014; Macgregor-Das and Iacobuzio-Donahue 2013; Sakamoto et al. 2015; Tan et al. 2015; Wu et al. 2011a). Our meta-analysis found that RNF43 mutation was not associated with clinicopathologic parameters of patients with IPMN (Additional file 6: Table S4). Due to the lack of published articles, further studies need to clarify the roles and characteristics of RNF43 mutation in IPMN patients.

This meta-analysis revealed that KRAS and GNAS mutations are not associated with the malignant potential or prognosis in patients with IPMN. This meta-analysis showed that frequency of KRAS mutation was rather lower in high-grade dysplasia than low- and/or intermediate-grade dysplasia. However, further more studies are needed to confirm the results. The frequency of GNAS mutation in IPMN patients did not differ among the three grades of dysplasia and in the absence or presence of associated adenocarcinoma. The association between GNAS mutation and the prognosis of patients with IPMN has been the subject of considerable controversy. GNAS mutation was significantly associated with high-grade dysplasia (Wu et al. 2011b), whereas wild-type GNAS in IPMNs was significantly related to the development of adenocarcinoma (Ideno et al. 2015). However, as with this meta-analysis, other studies failed to show significant relationships between GNAS mutation, dysplasia grades, and the presence of adenocarcinoma (Amato et al. 2014; Hosoda et al. 2015; Kuboki et al. 2015; Singhi et al. 2014).

It has been well known that pancreatic cancers are more frequent in Ashkenazi Jews and African groups. However, the frequency of IPMN between races has not been known because of its rare incidence. Therefore, we simply classified IPMN patients into the Caucasian and Asian groups in this study, although the genetic changes of diverse and detailed ethnicity would be an interesting issue and broaden the novel biological pathway of IPMN.

The present meta-analysis has some limitations. First, the possibility of publication bias could not be completely excluded. Second, the individual study used in this meta-analysis was done with relatively small sample sizes, due to the rare occurrence of IPMNs. Lastly, the different studies did not only use different methods for mutation detection but also different tumour materials, such as cystic fluid versus tissue specimen. This might confound the mutation detection rates.

In summary, this meta-analysis provides sensitive and specific diagnostic roles of KRAS and GNAS mutations for detecting the IPMN among the pancreatic cystic lesions. Furthermore, KRAS and GNAS mutations hint a possibility that patients with IPMN have which form of microscopic subtype.