Notably, we found that high SLC39A4 expression was a significant indicator of poor OS and DFS in NSCLC (OS: HR = 2.918, 95% CI: 2.353–3.482, P = 0.0333; DFS: HR = 2.498, 95% CI: 1.924–3.072, P = 0.0180), consistent with the results of our meta-analysis. The gene discussed is SLC39A4; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.