Role of SHP2/PTPN11 in the occurrence and prognosis of cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Src homology-2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP2)/PTP non-receptor type 11 (PTPN11) have been reported to be expressed in a variety of solid tumors, though its role in tumors remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of SHP2/PTPN11 in the occurrence and prognosis of cancer. Literature on the relationship between SHP2/PTPN11 expression and tumor was searched in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library electronic database, following which the Stata 12.0 software was used for meta-analysis. A total of 23 articles were included in the present statistical analysis. Higher expression levels of SHP2/PTPN11 can significantly increase the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC; odds ratio (OR)=3.41, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-10.80; P=0.037] while reducing the overall survival (OS) time of patients with NSCLC [hazards ratio (HR)=2.83, 95% CI=1.97-4.07; P<0.001]. In addition, increased expression of SHP2/PTPN11 can significantly increase the risk of gastric (OR=5.35, 95% CI=1.81-15.77; P=0.002) and cervical cancer (OR=12.04, 95% CI=3.45-42.01; P<0.001). However, no significant difference could be found in the expression level of SHP2/PTPN11 in liver cancer (OR=1.47, 95% CI=0.37-5.84; P=0.582) compared with that in the adjacent normal tissues. Taken together, SHP2/PTPN11 was found to be expressed highly in a number of tumors, which was in turn associated with tumorigenesis and patient prognosis. In particular, increased expression of SHP2/PTPN11 can increase the risk of NSCLC, gastric cancer and cervical cancer, whereas higher expression levels of SHP2/PTPN11 can reduce OS of NSCLC.