Clinical prognostic value of the SMYD2/3 as new epigenetic biomarkers in solid cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

SET and MYND domain-containing protein (SMYD) family with methyltransferase activity is involved in cancer progression. This novel meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association of SMYD family with the clinical and survival outcomes in solid cancer patients.

METHODS

We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to select relevant articles. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals were extracted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by chi-square-based Q and I tests, while publication bias by funnel plots and Egger's test.

RESULTS

Thirty-two articles (4,826 patients) met inclusion criteria. SMYD2/3 overexpression was statistically associated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.794, ), disease/relapse/progression-free survival (HR = 2.114, ), disease/cancer-specific survival (HR = 3.220, ), larger tumor size (OR = 1.963, ), advanced TNM stage (OR = 2.066, ), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.054, ), and distant metastasis (OR = 1.978, 0.004). Subgroup analysis showed more significant association between SMYD2 overexpression and reduced survival outcomes than that in SMYD3. Conversely, the relationship between SMYD3 and various clinicopathologic factors was stronger compared to SMYD2.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced SMYD2/3 expression may be an unfavorable clinical prognostic factor in different solid cancer types.