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Long non-coding RNAs (CASC2 and TUG1) in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical significance

Noha S Refai1, Manal L Louka1, Hany Y Halim1

  • 1Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

The Journal of Gene Medicine
|July 14, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reveals that long non-coding RNA CASC2 is downregulated while TUG1 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). These findings suggest CASC2 and TUG1 may serve as novel non-invasive biomarkers for HCC/HCV.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Oncology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biology is not fully understood.
  • Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators in cellular processes and cancer.
  • The roles of lncRNA CASC2 (tumor suppressor) and lncRNA TUG1 (oncogene) in HCC, especially with hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection, are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relative expression of lncRNA CASC2 and lncRNA TUG1 in the whole blood of HCC/HCV patients.
  • To compare their expression levels with HCV patients and healthy controls.
  • To explore the relationship between CASC2 and TUG1 expression and clinicopathological factors in HCC/HCV.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was employed.
  • Relative gene expression of CASC2 and TUG1 was assessed.
  • Expression levels were compared among 30 HCC/HCV patients, 20 HCV patients, and 20 controls.

Main Results:

  • lncRNA CASC2 was found to be downregulated in HCC/HCV patients.
  • lncRNA TUG1 was significantly overexpressed in HCC/HCV patients compared to HCV patients and controls.
  • An antagonistic expression pattern between CASC2 and TUG1 was observed, suggesting a role in HCC pathogenesis.
  • Expression levels correlated with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Conclusions:

  • CASC2 and TUG1 exhibit opposing expression patterns in HCC/HCV patients.
  • These lncRNAs may play significant roles in the development of HCC in the context of HCV infection.
  • CASC2 and TUG1 show potential as novel, non-invasive biomarkers for HCC/HCV.
Keywords:
biochemistrycell signalingepigeneticsgene expression

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