Prognostic role of TET2 deficiency in myelodysplastic syndromes: A meta-analysis

Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase2 gene (TET2) is one of the most frequently mutated gene in myeloid neoplasm, but the prognostic role of TET2 aberrations in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis. Fourteen eligible studies with 1983 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Among these, 2 studies evaluated the impact that the TET2 expression level had on the prognosis. The combined hazard ratios (HR) estimated for overall survival (OS) was 1.00 (95%CI: 0.74 to 1.37; p=0.989) when comparing those with TET2 mutations with those without. Among the patients treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the pooled HR for OS was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.77-1.35, p=0.89) and 1.54 (95%CI: 0.69 to 3.44; p=0.29), respectively. We also conducted an analysis of the response rate to HMAs, and the OR was 1.73 (95%CI: 1.11 to 2.70; p=0.016). Additionally, subgroup analyses showed the pooled HR for OS was 0.93(95%CI: 0.44 to 1.98; P=0.849) in WHO-classified CMML patients and 1.02(95%CI: 1.02 to 3.46; p=0.042) in studies evaluated TET2 expression level. The analysis suggested TET2 mutations had no significant prognostic value on MDS. However, the response rates to HMAs were significantly different between those with and without TET2 mutations, and the low expression level of TET2 gene was significantly associated with a poor OS in MDS patients.