SPOCD1 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis in human osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant bone tumors that typically affects adolescents and children. The spen paralogue and orthologue C‑terminal domain containing 1 (SPOCD1) is a newly identified molecule that has been indicated to discriminate progressive from non‑progressive bladder cancers. However, the role of SPOCD1 in human solid tumors remains largely unknown. In the present study, SPOCD1 was upregulated in clinical osteosarcoma tissues compared with adjacent non‑cancerous tissues. Furthermore, SPOCD1 was upregulated in osteosarcoma cell lines and expression was particularly increased in highly invasive cells MG63 and SAOS2. Further investigation revealed that downregulation of SPOCD1 inhibited the MG63 and SAOS2 osteosarcoma cell colony formation and proliferation capacity. In addition, cell apoptosis was promoted by knockdown of SPOCD1 in MG63 and SAOS2 cells. These effects were confirmed by measuring the Ki67 and PCNA expression. In addition, SPOCD1 positively regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‑A). Knockdown of VEGF‑A blunted SPOCD1 downregulation‑mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell apoptosis. These results suggested that SPOCD1 may act as a pro‑oncogenic factor in osteosarcoma. Inhibition of VEGF may aid in treating osteosarcoma in clinic.