A Detailed meta Analysis on Diagnostic Value of SDC2 Methylation in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma

Purpose: To identify the diagnostic value of syndecan-2 methylation in CRC patients. Methods: We searched relevant articles in eight databases. Eligible studies were analyzed. Pooled diagnostic odds ratio(DOR), positive and negative likelihood ratio(PLR and NLR), sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The summary receiver operating characteristic(SROC) curve and Fangan’s plot were drawn. Subgroup meta analyses were performed and patients with CRC at different stages or locations were compared to evaluate diagnostic value of SDC2 in detail. We also performed Deeks’ regression test of funnel plot asymmetry and sensitivity analysis to verify if the results are robust and stable. Results: 32 eligible studies with 3485 CRC patients and 5989 controls were included in our study. Pooled DOR, PLR, NLR, sensitivity and specificity were 18.54, 5.08, 0.29, 0.74 and 0.87, respectively. The area under SROC was 0.873. Subgroup meta analyses suggested that subjects consisting control group were the main source of heterogeneity. The diagnostic value of SDC2 methylation in CRC varies according to TNM stages and locations, better in distal and TNM I/II stage CRC. According to funnel plot, there exists no statistical publication bias. Conclusion: Methylated SDC2 in stool or blood was a valuable biomarker for the non-invasive detection of CRC with AUC=0.873. Methylated SDC2 performed better in distal and TNM I/II stage CRC than in proximal or TNM III/IV ones.