In terms of specimen type, the overexpression of B7-H4 detected from tissue (pooled HR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.63–2.20; P < 0.001) and blood (pooled HR = 2.00; 95%CI = 1.63–2.46; P < 0.001) both revealed poor prognosis in cancer patients. The gene discussed is VTCN1; the disease is cancer.