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

ABSTRACT

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 I² 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, P < 0.001), disease/relapse/progression-free survival (HR = 2.114, P < 0.001), disease/cancer-specific survival (HR = 3.220, P = 0.003), larger tumor size (OR = 1.963, P < 0.001), advanced TNM stage (OR = 2.066, P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.054, P < 0.001), and distant metastasis (OR = 1.978, P = 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.

KEYWORDS:

• SMYD2 protein
• SMYD3 protein
• meta-analysis
• overall survival
• disease/relapse/progression-free survival
• disease/cancer-specific survival

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewers disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14737159.2022.2144235

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences grant number: [1400/33/32/206].