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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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Published on: August 12, 2015

LincRNA-BC7 as a Modulator of Olaparib Sensitivity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Olalekan Olatunde Fadebi1,2, Babatunde Adebola Alabi1,2, Richard Khanyile1

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.

Epigenomes
|June 25, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Long intergenic non-coding RNA-BC7 (lincRNA-BC7) acts as a molecular sponge for miR-663a, influencing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) sensitivity to PARP inhibitors like Olaparib.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genomics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its aggressive nature and resistance.
  • The role of non-coding RNAs, particularly long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), in TNBC pathogenesis is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the biological significance of a novel transcript, LincRNA-BC7, in the context of breast cancer.
  • To investigate the LincRNA-BC7/miR-663a/BRCA1 axis and its role in response to PARP inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a combined in silico and in vitro approach to study transcriptional dynamics.
  • Investigated the effects of the PARP inhibitor Olaparib on cancer cell lines.
  • Employed bioinformatics tools (BLASTN, miRBase, KEGG) to analyze interactions.

Main Results:

  • Olaparib selectively induced cytotoxicity in BRCA1-deficient MDA-MB-231 cells.
  • Observed significant downregulation of LincRNA-BC7 and upregulation of BRCA1 upon Olaparib treatment.
  • Identified complementary binding sites between LincRNA-BC7 and miR-663a, suggesting a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • LincRNA-BC7 functions as a molecular sponge for miR-663a, modulating PI3K-AKT and TP53 pathways.
  • LincRNA-BC7 influences cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and is a determinant of TNBC phenotype and PARP inhibitor response.
  • The LincRNA-BC7/miR-663a axis represents a potential biomarker for risk stratification and a therapeutic target for BRCA1-associated breast cancers.
Keywords:
BRCA1LincRNA-BC7PARP inhibitionbreast cancerceRNAmiR-663aolaparibtriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

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