Figure 3a). The results of subgroup analysis by cancer type revealed that increased levels of CTGF were significantly associated with poor OS in patients with HCC (HR = 3.60, 95% CI: 1.90-6.81) and patients with GC (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.12-2.55). In CRC, elevated CTGF expression was associated with improved survival outcomes (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.16-0.64, fixed effects) (Table 3 and Figure 4(a)). When the data were stratified for sample size, technology, and region where the study was conducted, no significant association between CTGF and OS was found (Suppl.  Figure 5). This evidence concerns the gene CCN2 and hepatocellular carcinoma.