The subgroup of studies with cut-off value of low expression (HR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14–1.62) and infrequent restriction site (IRS) expression (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.17–1.52) showed that high expression of ALDH was correlated with poor OS in ovarian cancer patients, with no observed heterogeneity (low expression of ANRIL: I2 = 0%, P = 0.45; IRS expression of ANRIL: I2 = 41%, P = 0.17). The gene discussed is IARS1; the disease is ovarian carcinoma.