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Ma A, Yang Y, Lu L, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zheng J, Zheng X. Emerging roles of circular RNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: functions and implications. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:192. [PMID: 38664370 PMCID: PMC11045839 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01964-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct malignancy primarily prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, are evolutionarily conserved and exhibit remarkable stability. Their dysregulation has been observed in various cancers, including NPC. In this review, we investigate the pivotal role of circRNAs in NPC, focusing specifically on their involvement in tumor proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, stemness, metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment. We highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of circRNAs in NPC, emphasizing their utility as biomarkers for early detection, disease monitoring, and prediction of treatment outcomes. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic implications of circRNAs in NPC, highlighting their potential for targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiyu Ma
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuzhong Yang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Liuzhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinhua Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
| | - Xiang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
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Li W, Jiang X, Zhao L. Hsa_circ_0028007 regulates the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through the miR-1179/SQLE axis. Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230632. [PMID: 37554147 PMCID: PMC10404895 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most ordinary malignant tumors. Current research has suggested that circular RNAs play an important role in tumor genesis and progression. The purpose of this study is to explore the function and underlying mechanisms of circ_0028007 in NPC. The levels of circ_0028007, miR-1179, and Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was detected by colony formation assay and thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Relevant kits detected caspase-3, glucose, and lactate levels. Western blot assay was used to detect the related protein content. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were used to examine the target relationship between miR-1179 and circ_0028007 or SQLE. circ_0028007 and SQLE were highly expressed in NPC, while miR-1179 was lowly expressed. circ_0028007 silencing inhibited NPC cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. However, the effect of circ_0028007 down-regulation on NPC cells was partially restored by co-transfection with miR-1179 inhibitor. Overexpression of SQLE partially restored the cell proliferation inhibited by circ_0028007 knockdown. circ_0028007 could regulate NPC progression via the miR-1179/SQLE axis. Therefore, circ_0028007 might be a new therapeutic target for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Li
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiuwen Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, Zhejiang, China
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Huang C, Chen L, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zheng W, Peng F, Xu Y. Predicting AURKA as a novel therapeutic target for NPC: A comprehensive analysis based on bioinformatics and validation. Front Genet 2022; 13:926546. [PMID: 36072667 PMCID: PMC9441489 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.926546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study comprehensively explored the clinical function of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) gene in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and analyzed its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer. Data were downloaded from GEO, STRING, GTEx, and CellMiner databases, and subjected to multiple bioinformatic analyses, including differential expression analysis, WCGNA, gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene set variation analysis (GSVA), miRNA-hub gene regulatory network analysis, immune cell infiltration, and drug sensitivity analysis. In-depth analysis of AURKA gene expression in NPC and its corresponding clinicopathological features was performed to explore its potential as a therapeutic target. Moreover, AURKA gene expression in NPC was validated by qRT-PCR in 21 NPC tissues and 17 normal nasopharyngeal epithelial tissues. AURKA was highly expressed in NPC tissues. Enrichment analysis of AURKA and its co-expressed hub genes indicated their oncogenic role in NPC and their potential involvement in cancer-promoting processes through histone kinase activity and microtubule motility activity, cell cycle, and p53 signaling pathways. AURKA high expression group had greater infiltration of neutrophils, macrophages M2, and dendritic cells resting and less infiltration of T cells CD4+ naïve and T cells γδ. Drug susceptibility analysis found that dacarbazine, R-306465, vorinostat, and other antitumor drugs that act on the cell cycle were closely related to AURKA. qRT-PCR verified the high expression of AURKA in NPC tissues (p < 0.05). We confirmed upregulation of AURKA in NPC tissues. Our results support an oncogenic role of AURKA in the context of NPC, and indicate its potential role as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaobin Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Lin Chen
- College of Clinical Medicine for Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- College of Clinical Medicine for Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- College of Clinical Medicine for Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Fengying Peng
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Fengying Peng, ; Yuanji Xu,
| | - Yuanji Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Fengying Peng, ; Yuanji Xu,
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