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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids
Published on: December 23, 2022
The Cuproptosis-Associated AL139023.1/miR-139-5p/ELOVL5 ceRNA Axis Regulates Proliferation, Migration, and Cell Cycle
Kai Liang1, Yun Gao2, Xiangyu Zhang1
1General Surgery Department, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
To investigate the regulatory mechanism of cuproptosis-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and elucidate the role of the AL139023.1/miR-139-5p/ELOVL5 axis in ESCC progression.
Patients And Methods:
Laboratory models of ESCC were used to quantify copper ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) following ELOVL5 suppression. Functional assays assessed cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. Reporter gene assays evaluated ceRNA interactions between AL139023.1 and miR-139-5p, and rescue experiments validated the AL139023.1-ELOVL5 regulatory dependency.
Results:
Suppression of ELOVL5 triggered cuproptosis in ESCC cells. The AL139023.1/miR-139-5p/ELOVL5 axis modulated ESCC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. AL139023.1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA that sponged miR-139-5p to upregulate ELOVL5 expression. The protumorigenic effects of AL139023.1 on ESCC malignant progression were partially dependent on ELOVL5.
Conclusion:
These findings reveal a novel cuproptosis-related ceRNA regulatory network in ESCC mediated by the AL139023.1/miR-139-5p/ELOVL5 axis, which holds promise as a diagnostic biomarker, a prognostic indicator, and a therapeutic target for ESCC, highlighting its clinical relevance.
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