On the other hand, the integrated estimates for 5-year OS based on three included studies (Liu et al. 2016; Wang et al. 2011; Zhao et al. 2014a) suggested that HSP27 expression significantly predicted a worse prognosis in patients with NSCLC (HR: 1.832; 95 % CI 1.322–2.538; P < 0.001; I2 = 39.6 %, p = 0.191; Fig. 4b; Table 3). The gene discussed is HSPB1; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.