Introduction

Tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24) protein has been reported to be dysregulated in various cancers.

Aim

This study assessed the TRIM24 expression pattern in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Additionally, a comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to clarify the importance of TRIM24 expression in predicting the outcomes of various malignancies.

Material and methods

The expression levels of TRIM24 in 40 cancerous and adjacent normal tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Patients were further classified into two groups based on high and low TRIM24 levels. The relationship between TRIM24 expression, various clinical features, b-catenin, and overall survival (OS) was evaluated using appropriate statistical analyses. Additionally, a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to assess the prognostic value of TRIM24 levels in various malignancies. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to estimate the possible associations.

Results

TRIM24 expression was higher in GC tissues compared with their corresponding normal tissues (fold change = 2.69, p = 0.009). TRIM24 overexpression was associated with increased levels of b-catenin, and shorter OS in GC patients (HR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.06–14.60, p = 0.041). A meta-analysis of 24 eligible publications with 3639 patients also revealed a significant association between TRIM24 expression and shorter OS (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.49–2.69, p < 0.001). TRIM24 expression was also predictive of lymph node metastasis (LNM) (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04–2.78, p = 0.036) and tumour stage (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.74–3.47, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

TRIM24 overexpression is strongly associated with tumour staging, metastasis, and unfavourable survival outcomes, highlighting its potential utility as both a useful prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target across various malignancies.