World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Biomarkers predicting lymphoma in the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome. A systematic review

Abstract

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of studies exploring potential biomarkers for development, course and efficacy of treatment of lymphomas in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Material and Methods

Eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive search of two databases, i.e. PubMed and EMBASE. Quality of included articles was assessed with the 'Quality In Prognosis Studies' (QUIPS) tool. The 'CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies' (CHARMS) was used to facilitate data extraction.

Results

Fifty‐eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Only one study assessed the progression of lymphoma. Moderate risk of bias was detected in 'outcome measurement', 'study participation' and 'study confounding' domains. Parotid gland enlargement, mixed monoclonal cryoglobulins and low C4 levels represented strongest predictors of lymphoma development. The role of histological biomarkers, and specifically germinal centers, remains controversial. Clinical and methodological heterogeneity across studies precluded conduct of a meta‐analysis.

Conclusions

Specific biomarkers in combination with clinical manifestations represent potential candidates for advancing precision medicine approaches to lymphoma prediction in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Current focus has increasingly been on genetic and epigenetic markers as candidate predictors. Predictive accuracy of key biomarker candidates remains to be tested in well‐designed prospectively‐followed Sjögren's syndrome cohorts.

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