title: Association between promoter methylation of DAPK gene and HNSCC: A meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a tumor suppressor gene, which is a mediator of cell death of INF-γ-induced apoptosis. Aberrant methylation of DAPK promoter has been reported in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the results of these studies are inconsistent. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between the promoter methylation of DAPK gene and HNSCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant studies were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, and Embase. The association between DAPK promoter methylation and HNSCC was assessed by odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). To evaluate the potential sources of heterogeneity, we conducted the meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen studies were finally included in the meta-analysis. The frequency of DAPK promoter methylation in patients with HNSCC was 4.09-fold higher than the non-cancerous controls (OR = 3.96, 95%CI = 2.26-6.95). A significant association between DAPK promoter methylation and HNSCC was found among the Asian region and the Non-Asia region (Asian region, OR = 4.43, 95% CI = 2.29-8.58; Non-Asia region, OR = 3.39, 95% CI = 1.18-9.78). In the control source, the significant association between DAPK promoter methylation and HNSCC was seen among the autologous group and the heterogeneous group (autologous group, OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.49-4.93; heterogeneous group, OR = 9.50, 95% CI = 2.98-30.27). DAPK promoter methylation was significantly correlated with alcohol status (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.07-3.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this meta-analysis suggested that aberrant methylation of DAPK promoter was associated with HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Fucheng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiyue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: C579096:DAPK1 protein, human; D064550:Death-Associated Protein Kinases