SOX2 as a prognostic marker and a potential molecular target in cervical cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) has been reported as a potential therapeutic target for cancer. However, the role of SOX2 in cervical cancer remains largely undetermined. This study was performed to evaluate the correlation of SOX2 with clinical characteristics and prognosis in cervical cancer. Methods Multiple databases were systematically searched for eligible publications. The combined odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the effect sizes. Results A total of 17 studies with 1906 participants were identified. SOX2 expression was higher in cervical cancer than in the normal control group (OR = 10.83, 95% CI = 6.64–17.67, P < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed between cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. SOX2 expression was not associated with age, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis, but was correlated with tumor grade (grade 2–3 vs. grade 1: OR = 4.59, 95% CI = 2.76–7.62, P < 0.001) and tumor size (≥4 cm vs. ≤4 cm: OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.05–2.60, P = 0.028). Based on multivariate Cox analysis, SOX2 expression was not correlated with overall survival, but was closely associated with poor recurrence-free survival (HR = 5.83, 95% CI = 1.35–25.16, P = 0.018) and progress-free survival HR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.01–5.19, P = 0.046). Conclusion SOX2 may serve as a novel prognostic factor and a promising molecular target for cervical cancer.

Cancer stem cell biomarkers SOX2 and Oct4 in cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy

“…26 In their meta-analysis published in 2021, Yuan et al suggested that SOX2 overexpression did not correlate with overall survival but was associated with poorer recurrence-and progression-free survival. 27 To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first study that evaluated the expression of these stem cell markers SOX2 and Oct4 in cervical cancer from India. The strengths of our study are its robust study design, stringent checks in terms of the pathological assessment, adequate follow-up, and prospective study design.…”

“…Recently, two meta-analyses have tried to quantify the role of SOX2 and Oct4 in cervical cancers. 26,27 Gao et al concluded that Oct4 expression is associated with CSCCs and histological differentiation. 26 In their meta-analysis published in 2021, Yuan et al suggested that SOX2 overexpression did not correlate with overall survival but was associated with poorer recurrence-and progression-free survival.…”

“…[20][21][22][23][24] Accumulating evidence suggests their strong correlation with CSCs. [25][26][27] They have been proposed as biomarkers to identify CSCs in cervical can-cers. However, data about their clinical implications are sparse and contradictory.…”

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Various Autophagy Inhibitors in A549 Cancer Stem Cells

“…Transcription factors with robust expression in embryonic stem cells are considered stemness drivers in cancer cells. Moreover, Sox2 and Oct4 expression levels correlate with the histological degree of tumor malignancy; these proteins are often used as prognostic markers of cancer cell response to therapy and disease outcome [ 13 , 14 ]. In order to fully characterize the Sox2 and Oct4 expression levels in A549 cancer cells, the cells were transduced with a lentiviral vector carrying the SORE6-mCherry fluorescent reporter [ 12 ].…”

“…Транскрипционные факторы, обильно экспрессирующиеся в эмбриональных стволовых клетках, считаются драйверами стволовых свойств опухолевых клеток. Кроме того, уровень экспрессии Sox2 и Oct4 коррелирует c гистологической злокачественностью опухоли соответственно; эти белки часто служат прогностическими маркерами ответа злокачественных клеток на терапию и исход заболевания [13,14]. Для того, чтобы в полной степени охарактеризовать уровень экспрессии факторов Sox2 и Oct4 в линии опухолевых клеток А549, эти клетки трансдуцировали лентивирусной конструкцией, несущей флуоресцентный репортер SORE6-mCherry [12].…”