Meta-analysis on the diagnostic value of Syndecan 2 methylation in stool for the detection of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and early detection is essential for improving patient survival rates. Stool-based DNA methylation indicators are among the molecular biomarkers that have shown great promise as CRC screening methods. Because of its aberrant methylation patterns in malignant cells, the gene Syndecan 2 (SDC2), which is important in cellular development and differentiation, has shown potential as a biomarker for CRC. The goal of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic utility of SDC2 methylation in stool samples for the detection of colorectal cancer. The study involved a comprehensive literature search to identify all relevant studies on SDC2 methylation for CRC analysis from the beginning until 2023. Relevant studies were identified through systematic searches in Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. STATA program and Meta Disc 1.4 were used to perform the meta-analysis. A total of 30 studies, encompassing 120 CRC cases and controls, were included. The analysis revealed the pooled sensitivity and specificity of SDC2 methylation in stool samples, as demonstrated by the area under the curve (AUC). SDC2 methylation demonstrated strong diagnostic accuracy, with significantly higher sensitivity in patients with advanced-stage CRC. SDC2 methylation offers a convenient, non-invasive diagnostic option and represents a useful biomarker for CRC screening. Even though it demonstrates a high degree of diagnostic accuracy, more research is necessary to improve test procedures and confirm outcomes across a variety of categories.