Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Aldehyde dehydrogenase serves as a biomarker for worse survival profiles in ovarian 
cancer patients: an updated meta -analysis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 21 Oct 2018 
 
Reviewer:  Kedra  Wallace  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Major  
 
- The 1st sentence in the background should be rewritten into 3 sentences.  
 
- It is unclear who the "their" in line 37 page 3 refers to. This sentence is also very confusing and 
should be rewritten.  
 
- It appears as if the authors are trying to suggested that the relationship of ALDH expression to 
cancer is significant and has some  therapeutic implications, as there are clinical trials around that 
relationship. If this is indeed what the authors are trying to convey then sentence 6/7 on page 4 
needs to be rewritten. If this is not what the authors wish to convey then that sentence n eeds to be 
moved as it currently adds nothing to the surrounding text.  
 
 
Minor  
 
- Remove the word unbearable from line 20 page 3.  
 
- A comma is needed between colorectal cancer and prostate cancer in line 3 page 4.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by th e data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the sta tistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Not suitable for publication unless extensively edited  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manus cript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal. I understand that my name will be included 
on my report to the authors and, if the manuscript is accepted for p ublication, my named report 
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal