Overexpression of small nucleolar RNA host gene family members predicts poor bladder cancer prognosis: based on a systematic review and meta-analysis

Increasing long non-coding RNA SNHG members are aberrantly expressed in bladder cancer (BC) and substantially linked to its prognosis. This investigation aims to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the connection between SNHG expression levels and BC prognosis. Six relevant electronic databases were queried to identify eligible original studies per the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. HRs and 95%CIs were obtained directly or indirectly, case numbers and totals for each clinical pathological parameter were extracted and converted into ORs and 95% CIs using Stata software. Then, HRs, ORs, and 95% CIs were aggregated to evaluate the link between SNHG expression and survival outcomes. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias detection were also executed. This meta-analysis ultimately incorporated 22 publications involving 1964 BC patients. Pooling HR with 95%CI showed that high SNHGs were linked to bad OS (HR = 1.496, 95%CI: 1.063–1.930). Pooling OR with 95%CI indicated the marked positive correlation between increasing SNHG expression and advanced TNM stage (OR = 1.769, 95%CI: 1.440–2.174), easier lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.476, 95%CI: 1.871–3.278), poor histological grade (OR = 1.336, 95%CI: 1.040–1.716), bigger tumor size (OR = 1.383, 95%CI: 1.118–1.711), deeper depth of invasion (OR = 4.054, 95%CI: 1.253–13.112), easier DM (OR = 2.004, 95%CI: 1.398–2.873). in the meantime, the insignificant link were also found between SNHGs expression and age (OR = 0.997, 95%CI: 0.825–1.205) and gender (OR = 0.944, 95%CI: 0.730–1.221). The sensitivity analysis of combining OS shows that the overall results remained essentially unchanged even when any single study was excluded. This suggests that the pooled HR is highly reliable and robust. Begg’s test revealed no substantial publication bias in this study. Most SNHGs are up-regulated in BC and significantly linked to poor prognosis. SNHG may represent a potential therapeutic target and prognostic markers for BC.