DAPK1 Promoter Methylation and Cervical Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) gene has been frequently investigated in cervical cancer (CC). The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic review and a meta-analysis in order to evaluate DAPK1 promoter methylation as an epigenetic marker for CC risk.


METHODS
A systematic literature search was carried out. The Cochrane software package Review Manager 5.2 was used. The fixed-effects or random-effects models, according to heterogeneity across studies, were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted by histological type, assays used to evaluate DAPK1 promoter methylation, and control sample source.


RESULTS
A total of 20 papers, published between 2001 and 2014, on 1929 samples, were included in the meta-analysis. DAPK1 promoter methylation was associated with an increased CC risk based on the random effects model (OR: 21.20; 95%CI = 11.14-40.35). Omitting the most heterogeneous study, the between study heterogeneity decreased and the association increased (OR: 24.13; 95% CI = 15.83-36.78). The association was also confirmed in all the subgroups analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant strong association between DAPK1 promoter methylation and CC was shown and confirmed independently by histological tumor type, method used to evaluate methylation and source of control samples. Methylation markers may have value in early detection of CC precursor lesions, provide added reassurances of safety for women who are candidates for less frequent screens, and predict outcomes of women infected with human papilloma virus.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy; LaPoSS, Laboratory of Policies and Social Services, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Antonella
A
Agodi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy; LaPoSS, Laboratory of Policies and Social Services, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Martina
M
Barchitta
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Annalisa
A
Quattrocchi
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Andrea
A
Maugeri
University College London, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Manlio
M
Vinciguerra
D019175:DNA Methylation; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012306:Risk; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases