Long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host genes as prognostic molecular biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

ObjectiveRecently, increasing data have suggested that the lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) were aberrantly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), but the association between the prognosis of HCC and their expression remained unclear. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the prognostic significance of lncRNA SNHGs in HCC. MethodsWe systematically searched Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library for eligible articles published up to October 2022. The prognostic significance of SNHGs in HCC was evaluated by hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess the clinicopathological features of SNHGs. ResultsThis analysis comprised a total of 25 studies covering 2314 patients with HCC. The findings demonstrated that over-expressed SNHGs were associated with larger tumor size, multiple tumor numbers, poor histologic grade, earlier lymphatic metastasis, vein invasion, advanced tumor stage, portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), and higher AFP level, but not with gender, age, HBV infection, and cirrhosis. In terms of prognosis, patients with higher SNHG expression were more likely to have shorter overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and disease-free survival (DFS). ConclusionsIn conclusion, upregulation of SNHG expression correlated with clinicopathological parameters and could predict a poor prognosis for HCC patients.