Long Noncoding RNA VESTAR Regulates Lymphangiogenesis and Lymph Node Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Enhancing VEGFC mRNA Stability

TGF-β-induced lncRNA TBUR1 promotes EMT and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma via hnRNPC-mediated GRB2 mRNA stabilization

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is pivotal in inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoting cancer metastasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as significant players in these processes, yet their precise mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that TGF-β-upregulated lncRNA 1 (TBUR1) is significantly activated by TGF-β via Smad3/4 signaling in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. Functionally, TBUR1 triggers EMT, enhances LUAD cell migration and invasion in vitro, and promotes metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistically, TBUR1 interacts with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins C (hnRNPC) to stabilize GRB2 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner. Clinically, TBUR1 is upregulated in LUAD tissues and correlates with poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD. Taken together, our findings underscore the crucial role of TBUR1 in mediating TGF-β-induced EMT and metastasis in LUAD, providing insights for future therapeutic interventions.

FAP positive cancer-associated fibroblasts promote tumor progression and radioresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by transferring exosomal lncRNA AFAP1-AS1

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are abundant and heterogeneous stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, which play important roles in regulating tumor progression and therapy resistance by transferring exosomes to cancer cells. However, how CAFs modulate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression and radioresistance remains incompletely understood. The expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) in CAFs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 174 ESCC patients who underwent surgery and 78 pretreatment biopsy specimens of ESCC patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy. We sorted CAFs according to FAP expression, and the conditioned medium (CM) was collected to culture ESCC cells. The expression levels of several lncRNAs that were considered to regulate ESCC progression and/or radioresistance were measured in exosomes derived from FAP+ CAFs and FAP- CAFs. Subsequently, cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell, colony formation, and xenograft assays were performed to investigate the functional differences between FAP+ CAFs and FAP- CAFs. Finally, a series of in vitro and in vivo assays were used to evaluate the effect of AFAP1-AS1 on radiosensitivity of ESCC cells. FAP expression in stromal CAFs was positively correlated with nerve invasion, vascular invasion, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, lack of clinical complete response and poor survival. Culture of ESCC cells with CM/FAP+ CAFs significantly increased cancer proliferation, migration, invasion and radioresistance, compared with culture with CM/FAP- CAFs. Importantly, FAP+ CAFs exert their roles by directly transferring the functional lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 to ESCC cells via exosomes. Functional studies showed that AFAP1-AS1 promoted radioresistance by enhancing DNA damage repair in ESCC cells. Clinically, high levels of plasma AFAP1-AS1 correlated with poor responses to dCRT in ESCC patients. Our findings demonstrated that FAP+ CAFs promoted radioresistance in ESCC cells through transferring exosomal lncRNA AFAP1-AS1; and may be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.

LncRNA CHKB-DT Downregulation Enhances Dilated Cardiomyopathy Through ALDH2

BACKGROUND

Human cardiac long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) profiles in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were previously analyzed, and the long noncoding RNA CHKB (choline kinase beta) divergent transcript (CHKB-DT) levels were found to be mostly downregulated in the heart. In this study, the function of CHKB-DT in DCM was determined.

METHODS

Long noncoding RNA expression levels in the human heart tissues were measured via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization assays. A CHKB-DT heterozygous or homozygous knockout mouse model was generated using the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 system, and the adeno-associated virus with a cardiac-specific promoter was used to deliver the RNA in vivo. Sarcomere shortening was performed to assess the primary cardiomyocyte contractility. The Seahorse XF cell mitochondrial stress test was performed to determine the energy metabolism and ATP production. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms were explored using quantitative proteomics, ribosome profiling, RNA antisense purification assays, mass spectrometry, RNA pull-down, luciferase assay, RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

CHKB-DT levels were remarkably decreased in patients with DCM and mice with transverse aortic constriction-induced heart failure. Heterozygous knockout of CHKB-DT in cardiomyocytes caused cardiac dilation and dysfunction and reduced the contractility of primary cardiomyocytes. Moreover, CHKB-DT heterozygous knockout impaired mitochondrial function and decreased ATP production as well as cardiac energy metabolism. Mechanistically, ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) was a direct target of CHKB-DT. CHKB-DT physically interacted with the mRNA of ALDH2 and fused in sarcoma (FUS) through the GGUG motif. CHKB-DT knockdown aggravated ALDH2 mRNA degradation and 4-HNE (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal) production, whereas overexpression of CHKB-DT reversed these molecular changes. Furthermore, restoring ALDH2 expression in CHKB-DT+/- mice alleviated cardiac dilation and dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

CHKB-DT is significantly downregulated in DCM. CHKB-DT acts as an energy metabolism-associated long noncoding RNA and represents a promising therapeutic target against DCM.

Lymphatic vessel: origin, heterogeneity, biological functions, and therapeutic targets

Lymphatic vessels, comprising the secondary circulatory system in human body, play a multifaceted role in maintaining homeostasis among various tissues and organs. They are tasked with a serious of responsibilities, including the regulation of lymph absorption and transport, the orchestration of immune surveillance and responses. Lymphatic vessel development undergoes a series of sophisticated regulatory signaling pathways governing heterogeneous-origin cell populations stepwise to assemble into the highly specialized lymphatic vessel networks. Lymphangiogenesis, as defined by new lymphatic vessels sprouting from preexisting lymphatic vessels/embryonic veins, is the main developmental mechanism underlying the formation and expansion of lymphatic vessel networks in an embryo. However, abnormal lymphangiogenesis could be observed in many pathological conditions and has a close relationship with the development and progression of various diseases. Mechanistic studies have revealed a set of lymphangiogenic factors and cascades that may serve as the potential targets for regulating abnormal lymphangiogenesis, to further modulate the progression of diseases. Actually, an increasing number of clinical trials have demonstrated the promising interventions and showed the feasibility of currently available treatments for future clinical translation. Targeting lymphangiogenic promoters or inhibitors not only directly regulates abnormal lymphangiogenesis, but improves the efficacy of diverse treatments. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive overview of lymphatic vessel development and physiological functions, and describe the critical involvement of abnormal lymphangiogenesis in multiple diseases. Moreover, we summarize the targeting therapeutic values of abnormal lymphangiogenesis, providing novel perspectives for treatment strategy of multiple human diseases.

The nexus of long noncoding RNAs, splicing factors, alternative splicing and their modulations

The process of alternative splicing (AS) is widely deregulated in a variety of cancers. Splicing is dependent upon splicing factors. Recently, several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate AS by directly/indirectly interacting with splicing factors. This review focuses on the regulation of AS by lncRNAs through their interaction with splicing factors. AS mis-regulation caused by either mutation in splicing factors or deregulated expression of splicing factors and lncRNAs has been shown to be involved in cancer development and progression, making aberrant splicing, splicing factors and lncRNA suitable targets for cancer therapy. This review also addresses some of the current approaches used to target AS, splicing factors and lncRNAs. Finally, we discuss research challenges, some of the unanswered questions in the field and provide recommendations to advance understanding of the nexus of lncRNAs, AS and splicing factors in cancer.

Multigene Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identifies Prognostic Cancer Driver Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition Progression and Chemoresistance

We investigated the clinical significance of CTCs in cancer progression by detecting multiple cancer driver genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at the transcript level. The 10-gene panel, comprising CCND1, ECT2, EpCAM, FSCN1, KRT5, KRT18, MET, TFRC, TWIST1, and VEGFC, was established for characterizing CTCs from mouse ESCC xenograft models and clinical ESCC peripheral blood (PB) samples. Correlations between gene expression in CTCs from PB samples (n = 77) and clinicopathological features in ESCC patients (n = 55) were examined. The presence of CTCs at baseline was significantly correlated with tumor size (p = 0.031). The CTC-high patients were significantly correlated with advanced cancer stages (p = 0.013) and distant metastasis (p = 0.029). High mRNA levels of TWIST1 (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 5.44, p = 0.007), VEGFC (HR = 6.67, p < 0.001), TFRC (HR = 2.63, p = 0.034), and EpCAM (HR = 2.53, p = 0.041) at baseline were significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) in ESCC patients. This study also revealed that TWIST1 facilitates EMT and enhances malignant potential by promoting tumor migration, invasion, and cisplatin chemoresistance through the TWIST1-TGFBI-ZEB1 axis in ESCC, highlighting the prognostic and therapeutic potential of TWIST1 in clinical ESCC treatment.

Multi-omics analyses reveal spatial heterogeneity in primary and metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Biopsies obtained from primary oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) guide diagnosis and treatment. However, spatial intra-tumoral heterogeneity (ITH) influences biopsy-derived information and patient responsiveness to therapy. Here, we aimed to elucidate the spatial ITH of ESCC and matched lymph node metastasis (LNmet ).

METHODS

Primary tumour superficial (PTsup ), deep (PTdeep ) and LNmet subregions of patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC were evaluated using whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-transcriptome sequencing and spatially resolved digital spatial profiling (DSP). To validate the findings, immunohistochemistry was conducted and a single-cell transcriptomic dataset was analysed.

RESULTS

WES revealed 15.72%, 5.02% and 32.00% unique mutations in PTsup , PTdeep and LNmet , respectively. Copy number alterations and phylogenetic trees showed spatial ITH among subregions both within and among patients. Driver mutations had a mixed intra-tumoral clonal status among subregions. Transcriptome data showed distinct differentially expressed genes among subregions. LNmet exhibited elevated expression of immunomodulatory genes and enriched immune cells, particularly when compared with PTsup (all P < .05). DSP revealed orthogonal support of bulk transcriptome results, with differences in protein and immune cell abundance between subregions in a spatial context. The integrative analysis of multi-omics data revealed complex heterogeneity in mRNA/protein levels and immune cell abundance within each subregion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study comprehensively characterised spatial ITH in ESCC, and the findings highlight the clinical significance of unbiased molecular classification based on multi-omics data and their potential to improve the understanding and management of ESCC. The current practices for tissue sampling are insufficient for guiding precision medicine for ESCC, and routine profiling of PTdeep and/or LNmet should be systematically performed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of ESCC and better inform treatment decisions.

The microprotein encoded by exosomal lncAKR1C2 promotes gastric cancer lymph node metastasis by regulating fatty acid metabolism

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the prominent route of gastric cancer dissemination, and usually leads to tumor progression and a dismal prognosis of gastric cancer. Although exosomal lncRNAs have been reported to be involved in tumor development, whether secreted lncRNAs can encode peptides in recipient cells remains unknown. Here, we identified an exosomal lncRNA (lncAKR1C2) that was clinically correlated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer in a VEGFC-independent manner. Exo-lncAKR1C2 secreted from gastric cancer cells was demonstrated to enhance tube formation and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells, and facilitate lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in vivo. By comparing the metabolic characteristics of LN metastases and primary focuses, we found that LN metastases of gastric cancer displayed higher lipid metabolic activity. Moreover, exo-lncAKR1C2 encodes a microprotein (pep-AKR1C2) in lymphatic endothelial cells and promotes CPT1A expression by regulating YAP phosphorylation, leading to enhanced fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and ATP production. These findings highlight a novel mechanism of LNM and suggest that the microprotein encoded by exosomal lncAKR1C2 serves as a therapeutic target for advanced gastric cancer.

KCTD4 interacts with CLIC1 to disrupt calcium homeostasis and promote metastasis in esophageal cancer

Increasing evidences suggest the important role of calcium homeostasis in hallmarks of cancer, but its function and regulatory network in metastasis remain unclear. A comprehensive investigation of key regulators in cancer metastasis is urgently needed. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and matched metastatic tissues and a series of gain/loss-of-function experiments identified potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 4 (KCTD4) as a driver of cancer metastasis. KCTD4 expression was found upregulated in metastatic ESCC. High KCTD4 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC and contributes to cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KCTD4 binds to CLIC1 and disrupts its dimerization, thus increasing intracellular Ca2+ level to enhance NFATc1-dependent fibronectin transcription. KCTD4-induced fibronectin secretion activates fibroblasts in a paracrine manner, which in turn promotes cancer cell invasion via MMP24 signaling as positive feedback. Furthermore, a lead compound K279-0738 significantly suppresses cancer metastasis by targeting the KCTD4‒CLIC1 interaction, providing a potential therapeutic strategy. Taken together, our study not only uncovers KCTD4 as a regulator of calcium homeostasis, but also reveals KCTD4/CLIC1-Ca2+-NFATc1-fibronectin signaling as a novel mechanism of cancer metastasis. These findings validate KCTD4 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

The emerging roles of long noncoding RNAs in lymphatic vascular development and disease

Recent advances in RNA sequencing technologies helped uncover what was once uncharted territory in the human genome-the complex and versatile world of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Previously thought of as merely transcriptional "noise", lncRNAs have now emerged as essential regulators of gene expression networks controlling development, homeostasis and disease progression. The regulatory functions of lncRNAs are broad and diverse, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are highly variable, acting at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. In recent years, evidence has accumulated to support the important role of lncRNAs in the development and functioning of the lymphatic vasculature and associated pathological processes such as tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis and cancer metastasis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of lncRNAs in regulating the key genes and pathways involved in lymphatic vascular development and disease. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of lncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets and outline possible strategies for the development of lncRNA-based therapeutics to treat diseases of the lymphatic system.

The emerging role of long noncoding RNA in depression and its implications in diagnostics and therapeutic responses

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 350 million people worldwide. However, the occurrence of depression is a complex process involving genetic, physiological, psychological, and social factors, and the underlying mechanisms of its pathogenesis remain unclear. With advances in sequencing technology and epigenetic studies, increasing research evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play nonnegligible roles in the development of depression and may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression through multiple pathways, including regulating neurotrophic factors and other growth factors and affecting synaptic function. In addition, significant alterations in lncRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood and different brain regions of patients and model animals with depression suggest that lncRNAs may function as biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of depression and other psychiatric disorders and may also be potential therapeutic targets. In this paper, the biological functions of lncRNAs are briefly described, and the functional roles and abnormal expression of lncRNAs in the development, diagnosis and treatment of depression are reviewed.

Identification of hub necroptosis-related lncRNAs for prognosis prediction of esophageal carcinoma

Necroptosis is a newly identified programmed cell death associated with the biological process of various cancers, including esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). Meanwhile, the dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is greatly implicated in ESCA progression and necroptosis regulation. However, the lncRNAs involved in regulating necroptosis in ESCA are still unclear. In this study, we aim to explore the expression profile of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs), and evaluate their roles in ESCA prognosis and treatment. In the present study, 198 differentially expressed NRLs were identified between the ESCA and adjacent normal tissues through screening the data extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. And, a prognostic panel consisting of 6 NRLs was constructed using the LASSO algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The ESCA patients with high risks had a markedly reduced survival time and higher mortality prevalence. Moreover, C-index of 6 NRLs-panel was superior to 48 published prognostic models based on lncRNAs or mRNAs for ESCA. There were significant differences between the high-risk and low-risk groups in tumor-related pathways, genetic mutations, and drug sensitivity responses. In vitro analysis revealed that inhibition of PVT1 impeded the proliferation, migration, and colony formation of ESCA cells, increased the expressions of p-RIP1 and p-MLKL and promoted necroptosis. By contrast, PVT1 overexpression resulted in a decrease in necroptotic cell death events, thus promoting tumor progression. Collectively, the established 6-NRLs panel was a promising biomarker for the prognostic prediction of ESCA. Moreover, our current findings provided potential targets for individualized therapy for ESCA patients.

Downregulation of miR-100-5p in cancer-associated fibroblast-derived exosomes facilitates lymphangiogenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), an aggressive gastrointestinal tumor, often has high early lymphatic metastatic potential. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are primary components in tumor microenvironment (TME), and the impact of CAFs and its derived exosomes on lymphangiogenesis remains elusive.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CAFs and the microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD) in ESCC was examined. Exosomes were extracted from primary normal fibroblast (NFs) and CAFs. Subsequently, tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells (TLECs) were treated with these exosomes, and the effect on their biological behavior was examined. miR-100-5p was selected as the target miRNA, and its effect on TLECs was examined. The target of miR-100-5p was predicted and confirmed. Subsequently, IGF1R, PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT expression in TLECs and tumors treated with exosomes and miR-100-5p were examined.

RESULTS

A large number of CAFs and microlymphatic vessels were present in ESCC, leading to a poor prognosis. CAF-derived exosomes promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation in TLECs. Further, they also enhanced lymphangiogenesis in ESCC xenografts. miR-100-5p levels were significantly lower in CAF-derived exosomes than in NF-derived exosomes. miR-100-5p inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation in TLECs. Further, miR-100-5p inhibited lymphangiogenesis in ESCC xenografts. Mechanistic studies revealed that this inhibition was mediated by the miR-100-5p-induced inhibition of IGF1R/PI3K/AKT axis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our study demonstrates that CAF-derived exosomes with decreased miR-100-5p levels exhibit pro-lymphangiogenesis capacity, suggesting a possibility of targeting IGF1R/PI3K/AKT axis as a strategy to inhibit lymphatic metastasis in ESCC.

Mechanisms of RNA export and nuclear retention

With the identification of huge amount of noncoding RNAs in recent years, the concept of RNA localization has extended from traditional mRNA export to RNA export of mRNA and ncRNA as well as nuclear retention of ncRNA. This review aims to summarize the recent findings from studies on the mechanisms of export of different RNAs and nuclear retention of some lncRNAs in higher eukaryotes, with a focus on splicing-dependent TREX recruitment for the export of spliced mRNA and the sequence-dependent mechanism of mRNA export in the absence of splicing. In addition, evidence to support the involvement of m⁶ A modification in RNA export with the coordination between the methylase complex and TREX complex as well as sequence-dependent nuclear retention of lncRNA is recapitulated. Finally, a model of sequence-dependent RNA localization is proposed along with the many questions that remain to be answered. This article is categorized under: RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization RNA Export and Localization > Nuclear Export/Import.

Development and Validation of a New Staging System for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Based on Combined Pathological TNM, Radiomics, and Proteomics

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to construct a new staging system for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) based on combined pathological TNM (pTNM) stage, radiomics, and proteomics.

METHODS

This study collected patients with radiomics and pTNM stage (Cohort 1, n = 786), among whom 103 patients also had proteomic data (Cohort 2, n = 103). The Cox regression model with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to construct a nomogram and predictive models. Concordance index (C-index) and the integrated area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (IAUC) were used to evaluate the predictive models. The corresponding staging systems were further assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves.

RESULTS

For Cohort 1, the RadpTNM4c staging systems, constructed based on combined pTNM stage and radiomic features, outperformed the pTNM4c stage in both the training dataset 1 (Train1; IAUC 0.711 vs. 0.706, p < 0.001) and the validation dataset 1 (Valid1; IAUC 0.695 vs. 0.659, p < 0.001; C-index 0.703 vs. 0.674, p = 0.029). For Cohort 2, the ProtRadpTNM2c staging system, constructed based on combined pTNM stage, radiomics, and proteomics, outperformed the pTNM2c stage in both the Train2 (IAUC 0.777 vs. 0.610, p < 0.001; C-index 0.898 vs. 0.608, p < 0.001) and Valid2 (IAUC 0.746 vs. 0.608, p < 0.001; C-index 0.889 vs. 0.641, p = 0.009) datasets.

CONCLUSIONS

The ProtRadpTNM2c staging system, based on combined pTNM stage, radiomic, and proteomic features, improves the predictive performance of the classical pTNM staging system.

Eltrombopag Inhibits Metastasis in Breast Carcinoma by Targeting HuR Protein

Eltrombopag is a small molecule TPO-R agonist that has been shown in our previous studies to inhibit tumor growth by targeting Human antigen R (HuR) protein. HuR protein not only regulates the mRNA stability of tumor growth-related genes, but it also regulates the mRNA stability of a variety of cancer metastasis-related genes, such as Snail, Cox-2, and Vegf-c. However, the role and mechanisms of eltrombopag in breast cancer metastasis have not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether eltrombopag can inhibit breast cancer metastasis by targeting HuR. Our study first found that eltrombopag can destroy HuR-AU-rich element (ARE) complexes at the molecular level. Secondly, eltrombopag was found to suppress 4T1 cell migration and invasion and inhibit macrophage-mediated lymphangiogenesis at the cellular level. In addition, eltrombopag exerted inhibitory effects on lung and lymph node metastasis in animal tumor metastasis models. Finally, it was verified that eltrombopag inhibited the expressions of Snail, Cox-2, and Vegf-c in 4T1 cells and Vegf-c in RAW264.7 cells by targeting HuR. In conclusion, eltrombopag displayed antimetastatic activity in breast cancer in an HuR dependent manner, which may provide a novel application for eltrombopag, hinting at the multiple effects of HuR inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Novel long noncoding RNA LINC02820 augments TNF signaling pathway to remodel cytoskeleton and potentiate metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. However, there are no targets to treat ESCC because the molecular mechanism behind the cancer is still unclear. Here, we found a novel long noncoding RNA LINC02820 was upregulated in ESCC and associated with the ESCC clinicopathological stage. Through a series of functional experiments, we observed that LINC02820 only promoted the migration and invasion capabilities of ESCC cell lines. Mechanically, we found that LINC02820 may affect the cytoskeletal remodeling, interact with splice factor 3B subunit 3 (SF3B3), and cooperate with TNFα to amplify the NF-κB signaling pathway, which can lead to ESCC metastasis. Overall, our findings revealed that LINC02820 is a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

Epigenetic modifications in esophageal cancer: An evolving biomarker

Esophageal cancer is a widespread cancer of the digestive system that has two main subtypes: esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA). In the diverse range of cancer therapy schemes, the side effects of conventional treatments remain an urgent challenge to be addressed. Therefore, the pursuit of novel drugs with multiple targets, good efficacy, low side effects, and low cost has become a hot research topic in anticancer therapy. Based on this, epigenetics offers an attractive target for the treatment of esophageal cancer, where major mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA regulation, chromatin remodelling and nucleosome localization offer new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer. Recently, research on epigenetics has remained at a high level of enthusiasm, focusing mainly on translating the basic research into the clinical setting and transforming epigenetic alterations into targets for cancer screening and detection in the clinic. With the increasing emergence of tumour epigenetic markers and antitumor epigenetic drugs, there are also more possibilities for anti-esophageal cancer treatment. This paper focuses on esophageal cancer and epigenetic modifications, with the aim of unravelling the close link between them to facilitate precise and personalized treatment of esophageal cancer.

Single-cell profiling reveals that SAA1+ epithelial cells promote distant metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers globally, with significant cell heterogeneity and poor prognosis. Distant metastasis in ESCC is one of the key factors that affects the prognosis of patients.

Methods and results

Starting with the analysis of ESCC single-cell sequencing data, we constructed a single-cell atlas of ESCC in detail and clarified the cell heterogeneity within tumor tissues. Through analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) levels, gene expression, and pathway activation, we revealed the existence of a novel subpopulation of SAA1+ malignant cells in ESCC that are highly aggressive and closely associated with distant metastasis of ESCC. In vitro wound healing and transwell assays confirmed a strong invasion capacity of ESCC tumor cells with high expression of SAA1. Then, we constructed an effective and reliable prediction model based on the gene expression pattern of SAA1+ malignant cell subpopulations and confirmed that patients in the high-risk group had significantly worse prognosis than those in the low-risk group in the training cohort, internal verification cohort and external verification cohort.

Discussion

This manuscript contributes to exploration of the heterogeneity of ESCC tumor tissues and the search for new ESCC subpopulations with special biological functions. These results contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of distant metastasis of ESCC and thus provide a theoretical basis for improved therapies.

LINC01526 Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer by Interacting with TARBP2 to Induce GNG7 mRNA Decay

Simple Summary

Many long noncoding RNAs play an important role in gastric cancer progression. In this study, we focused on LINC01526. Through expression and functional analyses, we obtained a preliminary understanding of the pro-cancer role of LINC01526 in gastric cancer. Furthermore, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation chip assays demonstrated that LINC01526 interacts with TARBP2, an RNA-binding protein controlling mRNA stability. Moreover, TARBP2 could bind and destabilize GNG7 transcripts. Finally, the rescue assay disclosed that LINC01526 promoted gastric cancer progression by interacting with TARBP2, leading to the degradation of GNG7 mRNA.

Abstract

Gastric cancer is the most common malignancy of the human digestive system. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) influence the occurrence and development of gastric cancer in multiple ways. However, the function and mechanism of LINC01526 in gastric cancer remain unknown. Herein, we investigated the function of LINC01526 with respect to the malignant progression of gastric cancer. We found that LINC01526 was upregulated in gastric cancer cells and tissues. The function experiments in vitro and the Xenograft mouse model in vivo proved that LINC01526 could promote gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, LINC01526 interacted with TAR (HIV-1) RNA-binding protein 2 (TARBP2) and decreased the mRNA stability of G protein gamma 7 (GNG7) through TARBP2. Finally, the rescue assay showed that downregulating GNG7 partially rescued the cell proliferation inhibited by LINC01526 or TARBP2 silencing. In summary, LINC01526 promoted gastric cancer progression by interacting with TARBP2, which subsequently degraded GNG7 mRNA. This study not only explores the role of LINC01526 in gastric cancer, but also provides a laboratory basis for its use as a new biomarker for diagnosis and therapeutic targets.

LncRNA RPL34-AS1 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via targeting miR-575/ACAA2 axis

BACKGROUND

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormally expressed in a broad type of cancers and play significant roles that regulate tumor development and metastasis. However, the pathological roles of lncRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of the novel lncRNA RPL34-AS1 in the development and progression of ESCC.

METHODS

The expression level of RPL34-AS1 in ESCC tissues and cell lines was determined by RT-qPCR. Functional experiments in vitro and in vivo were employed to explore the effects of RPL34-AS1 on tumor growth in ESCC cells. Mechanistically, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), bioinformatics analyses, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and western blot assays were used to detect the regulatory relationship between RPL34-AS1, miR-575 and ACAA2.

RESULTS

RPL34-AS1 was significantly down-regulated in ESCC tissues and cells, which was negatively correlated with overall survival in ESCC patients. Functionally, upregulation of RPL34-AS1 dramatically suppressed ESCC cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion and migration in vitro, whereas knockdown of RPL34-AS1 elicited the opposite function. Consistently, overexpression of RPL34-AS1 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, RPL34-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of miR-575 to relieve the repressive effect of miR-575 on its target ACAA2, then suppressed the tumorigenesis of ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal a role for RPL34-AS1 in ESCC tumorigenesis and may provide a strategy for using RPL34-AS1 as a potential biomarker and an effect target for patients with ESCC.

Targeting JWA for Cancer Therapy: Functions, Mechanisms and Drug Discovery

Simple Summary

JWA has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for several cancers. In this review, we summarize the tumor suppressive functions of the JWA gene and its role in anti-cancer drug development. The focus is on elucidating the key regulatory proteins up and downstream of JWA and their signaling networks. We also discuss current strategies for targeting JWA (JWA peptides, small molecule agonists, and JWA-targeted Pt (IV) prodrugs).

Abstract

Tumor heterogeneity limits the precision treatment of targeted drugs. It is important to find new tumor targets. JWA, also known as ADP ribosylation factor-like GTPase 6 interacting protein 5 (ARL6IP5, GenBank: AF070523, 1998), is a microtubule-associated protein and an environmental response gene. Substantial evidence shows that JWA is low expressed in a variety of malignancies and is correlated with overall survival. As a tumor suppressor, JWA inhibits tumor progression by suppressing multiple oncogenes or activating tumor suppressor genes. Low levels of JWA expression in tumors have been reported to be associated with multiple aspects of cancer progression, including angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we will discuss the structure and biological functions of JWA in tumors, examine the potential therapeutic strategies for targeting JWA and explore the directions for future investigation.

LncRNA-AC009948.5 promotes invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma by binding to miR-186-5p

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) has been confirmed to play a crucial role in the development and progression of various cancer types. Here we evaluated the expression profiles of LncRNAs in Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues and identified a novel LncRNA, termed LncRNA-AC009948.5. However, the role and potential molecular mechanisms of this novel LncRNA in LUAD carcinogenesis is unknown.

Methods

Regarding the public databases and based on integrating bioinformatics analyses, we determined whether LncRNA-AC009948.5 exerts its oncogenic functions via sponging miR-186-5p in LUAD. Furthermore, we determined whether NCAPG2 was a downstream target of miR-186-5p. Moreover, the expression level and biological function of LncRNA-AC009948.5 in LUAD were determined by qRT-PCR, cell apoptosis, Edu, transwell, wound healing and western blot assays. Besides, xenograft mice were established for validation. We explored the expression of LncRNA-AC009948.5 and its roles in the prognosis of LUAD.

Results

LncRNA expression microarray data indicate that LncRNA-AC009948.5 is upregulated in LUAD samples. The present study confirmed the upregulation of LncRNA-AC009948.5 in LUAD tissues and cells. Encreased expression of LncRNA-AC009948.5 was correlated with tumor size, lymph nodes, distant metastasis and histological grade, and poor prognosis.LncRNA-AC009948.5 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, as well as tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, LncRNA-AC009948.5 upregulated had opposite effects. Mechanistically, we elucidated that LncRNA-AC009948.5 could directly bind to miR-186-5p and subsequently suppress expression of the target gene of NCAPG2.

Conclusions

LncRNA-AC009948.5 promotes lung adenocarcinoma cells metastasis via the miR-186-5p/NCAPG2 axis and activation of the EMT process. Which may serve as potential targets for the treatment of LUAD in the future.

Regulatory Roles of Noncoding RNAs in the Progression of Gastrointestinal Cancers and Health Disparities

Annually, more than a million individuals are diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers worldwide. With the advancements in radio- and chemotherapy and surgery, the survival rates for GI cancer patients have improved in recent years. However, the prognosis for advanced-stage GI cancers remains poor. Site-specific GI cancers share a few common risk factors; however, they are largely distinct in their etiologies and descriptive epidemiologic profiles. A large number of mutations or copy number changes associated with carcinogenesis are commonly found in noncoding DNA regions, which transcribe several noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are implicated to regulate cancer initiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we summarize the regulatory functions of ncRNAs in GI cancer development, progression, chemoresistance, and health disparities. We also highlight the potential roles of ncRNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers, mainly focusing on their ethnicity-/race-specific prognostic value, and discuss the prospects of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate the contribution of ncRNAs in GI tumorigenesis.

LINC01194 recruits NUMA1 to promote ubiquitination of RYR2 to enhance malignant progression in triple-negative breast cancer

Long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 1194 (LINC01194) has been reported as an oncogene in several cancer types, but its expression and potential role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are still unclear. We found that LINC01194 was significantly highly expressed in TNBC based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Data from in vitro experiments and in vivo assays demonstrated that LINC01194 promoted TNBC progression. Through bioinformatics prediction, mass spectrometry, and mechanical experiments, we found that LINC01194 could recruit nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NUMA1) to bind to the untranslated region (3'UTR) of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) 3' and stabilize UBE2C mRNA. Moreover, we found that UBE2C acted as an ubiquitin ligase to promote the ubiquitination and degradation of ryanodine receptor type 2 (RYR2) that inhibited the progression of TNBC by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In summary, LINC01194 activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and accelerates the malignant progression of TNBC by recruiting NUMA1 to stabilize UBE2C mRNA and thus promotes RYR2 ubiquitination and degradation. These findings might provide a more effective therapeutic strategy for TNBC patients.

Oncogenic circTICRR suppresses autophagy via binding to HuR protein and stabilizing GLUD1 mRNA in cervical cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical regulators in the occurrence and development of numerous cancers, in which abnormal autophagy plays a key role. However, the potential involvement of circRNAs in autophagy is largely unknown. Here, we identified the overexpression of circTICRR, a circular RNA, in cervical cancer. In vitro experiments showed that knockdown of circTICRR activated autophagy, and consequently promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in cervical cancer cells, and vice versa. CircTICRR interacted with HuR protein via binding to F287/F289 in the RRM3 domain of HuR, stabilizing GLUD1 mRNA and elevating the level of GLUD1 protein. In vivo experiments revealed that knockdown of circTICRR suppressed the growth of transplanted tumors. An inhibitory peptide specific to the binding site between circTICRR and HuR protein promoted autophagy, induced apoptosis, suppressed proliferation in cervical cancer cells, and inhibited the growth of xenografts. Our findings suggest that circTICRR acts as an oncogene in cervical cancer and the interaction between circTICRR and HuR protein may be a potential target in cervical cancer therapeutics.

Ginsenoside compound K inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca109 cell via VEGF-A/Pi3k/Akt pathway

OBJECTIVE

Esophageal cancer, one of the most common cancers in the upper digestive tract and is one of the leading cancer-related mortality worldwide. Accumulating studies found that Ginsenoside compound K (CK) has significantly anti-tumor effects, especially in the suppression of proliferation, migration, as well as invasion in various human cancers. While the effects of Ginsenoside CK in esophageal cancer have not been well studied. In our present study, we aim to explore the functions and mechanisms of Ginsenoside CK in the progression of esophageal cancer cells (Eca109).

METHODS

Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, transwell and flow cytometry assays were applied to analyze the effects of Ginsenoside CK in the progression of Eca109 cell, western blot assay was used to investigate the potential downstream signaling pathway after Ginsenoside CK treatment.

RESULTS

Our study found that Ginsenoside CK can suppress cell proliferation, migration and invasion of Eca109 cell. Furthermore, the flow cytometry showed that Ginsenoside CK increased of apoptosis rates in Eca109 cell. The western blot results indicated that Ginsenoside CK decreased the expression of VEGF-A, P-Pi3k and P-Akt proteins. Moreover, the knockdown of VEGF-A gene could suppress cell proliferation, migration, invasion and induce apoptosis in Eca109 cell, and the expression of P-Pi3k and P-Akt proteins were significantly downregulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that Ginsenoside CK inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced apoptosis of Eca109 cell by blocking VEGF-A/Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway.

A Pleiotropic Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Modulation of Wnt/β-Catenin and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathways in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implication in Chemotherapeutic Drug Response

Despite the availability of modern techniques for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), tumor recurrence and metastasis are significant challenges in clinical management. Thus, ESCC possesses a poor prognosis and low five-year overall survival rate. Notably, the origin and recurrence of the cancer phenotype are under the control of complex cancer-related signaling pathways. In this review, we provide comprehensive knowledge about long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to Wnt/β-catenin and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in ESCC and its implications in hindering the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. We observed that a pool of lncRNAs, such as HERES, TUG1, and UCA1, associated with ESCC, directly or indirectly targets various molecules of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and facilitates the manifestation of multiple cancer phenotypes, including proliferation, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to anticancer treatment. Additionally, several lncRNAs, such as HCP5 and PTCSC1, modulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways during the ESCC pathogenesis. Furthermore, a few lncRNAs, such as AFAP1-AS1 and LINC01014, block the efficiency of chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, and gefitinib, used for ESCC treatment. Therefore, this review may help in designing a better therapeutic strategy for ESCC patients.

Long Non-Coding RNA in Esophageal Cancer: A Review of Research Progress

In recent years, there has been significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer. However, owing to the lack of early diagnosis strategies and treatment targets, the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers and treatment targets for esophageal cancer. With the development of genomics, long-chain non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), which were once considered transcriptional “noise,” are being identified and characterized rapidly in large numbers. Recent research shows that LncRNAs are closely related to a series of steps in tumor development and play an important regulatory role in DNA replication, transcription, and post-transcriptional regulation. The abnormal expression of LncRNAs leads to tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and treatment resistance. This review focuses on the latest progress in research on the abnormal expression and functional mechanisms of LncRNAs in esophageal cancer. Further, it discusses the potential applications of these findings towards achieving an early diagnosis, improving treatment efficacy, and evaluating the prognosis of esophageal cancer.

Long non-coding RNA TRPM2 antisense RNA as a potential therapeutic target promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one type of aggressive gastrointestinal cancers. The treatment of EC is challenging. Effective therapeutic targets require development. Long non-coding RNA TRPM2 antisense RNA (LncRNA TRPM2-AS) is considering a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for various types of cancer. However, the role of lncRNA TRPM2-AS in EC remains unknown. This study aimed to illustrate effects of LncRNA TRPM2-AS on EC growth and metastasis and potential underlying molecular mechanisms. LncRNA TRPM2-AS expression was determined in both EC tissues and cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase-chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation ability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were determined using transwell. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers expression were determined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Furthermore, potential lncRNA TRPM2-AS targeting miRNAs were predicted by public databases. The expression of five selected miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR. We found that lncRNA TRPM2-AS expression was increased in EC tissues and cell lines compared with respective control. Silencing lncRNA TRPM2-AS suppressed EC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, lncRNA TRPM2-AS knockdown reduced neural cadherin, vimentin, and matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene and protein expressions while increased epithelial cadherin expression. Furthermore, lncRNA TRPM2-AS knockdown promoted microRNA (miR)-1291, miR-6852-5p, and miR-138-5p expressions. Taken together, this study for the first time demonstrates that upregulation of lncRNA TRPM2-AS in EC promotes the growth and metastasis of EC likely through interacting with miR-1291, miR-6852-5p, and miR-138-5p.

Prognostic value of microvessel density in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Angiogenesis produced by tumor microenvironment is play an important role in development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). As a quantitative index of angiogenesis, literature has emerged contradictory results about the prognostic role of microvessel density (MVD) in ESCC. The aim of the study was to explore the impact of the correlation between MVD and the prognosis of ESCC based the published evidence.

METHODS

Pubmed and Web of science database were screened for the relationship of MVD with prognostic feature in ESCC up to March, 2021. 11 relevant articles were used for meta-analysis. The following data were extracted from the literature: author, year, country, the patients number of high/low MVD, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification, clinical stage, lymphoid infiltrates, vessel invasion, invasive depth, differential degree and survival rate. The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI were used to assess the associations between MVD and overall survival (OS). Chi-squared test and I² statistics were completed to evaluate the heterogeneity in our study. A random-effects model was used when significant heterogeneity existed (I²>50% and p < 0.05). Egger test was used to calculate the publication bias. Subgroup analysis was stratified by antibody, region, sample capacity to explore the source of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

11 studies with 1055 patients were analyzed. Our results suggested that high MVD is an important factor to advanced TNM classification and clinical stage, and the high MVD is positive correlation with the lymph node invasion and vascular invasion(p < 0.05) in ESCC, but irrelevant to poor differential and invasive depth(p > 0.05). The result also indicated that low MVD is a benefit factor to prolong the survival rate (p < 0.05). And the source of the heterogeneity maybe is that the antibody used to detect the MVD was not consistent, patient number was not large enough and the count method on MVD.

CONCLUSION

Across multiple studies, high MVD is correlated with clinicopathological criteria of poor prognosis and survival in ESCC. MVD could be the quantitative index to reactive angiogenesis and may play a pivotal role in ESCC development and progression. MVD may represent a valuable addition to current pathologic analysis and help to guide prognosis and treatment.

Long non-coding RNA ILF3-AS1 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression by stabilizing ILF3 mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Increasing evidences have demonstrated that ILF3 antisense RNA 1 (ILF3-AS1) acts as an oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in several types of human cancers. However, the expression pattern, functional role and underlying mechanism of ILF3-AS1 in HCC remains largely unclear. Here, we found that ILF3-AS1 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues and also associated with prognosis of patients with HCC. Functional assays demonstrated that knockdown of ILF3-AS1 expression resulted in the suppression of proliferation, migration and invasion in HCC cells, whereas overexpression of ILF3-AS1 exerted opposite effects. Additionally, knockdown of IFL3-AS1 attenuated HCC tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, ILF3-AS1 associated with ILF3 mRNA and inhibited its degradation. ILF3-AS1 increased ILF3 m⁶A level via recruiting N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) RNA methyltransferase METTL3. Moreover, IFL3-AS1 enhanced the interaction between ILF3 mRNA and m⁶A reader IGF2BP1. Overall, our study revealed the function and mechanism of ILF3-AS1 in the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells, which provides a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

Keep your eyes peeled for long noncoding RNAs: Explaining their boundless role in cancer metastasis, drug resistance, and clinical application

Cancer metastasis and drug resistance are two major obstacles in the treatment of cancer and therefore, the leading cause of cancer-associated mortalities worldwide. Hence, an in-depth understanding of these processes and identification of the underlying key players could help design a better therapeutic regimen to treat cancer. Earlier thought to be merely transcriptional junk and having passive or secondary function, recent advances in the genomic research have unravelled that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in diverse physiological as well as pathological processes including cancer metastasis and drug resistance. LncRNAs can regulate various steps of the complex metastatic cascade such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration and metastatic colonization, and also affect the sensitivity of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. A substantial body of literature for more than a decade of research evince that lncRNAs can regulate gene expression at different levels such as epigenetic, transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational and posttranslational levels, depending on their subcellular localization and through their ability to interact with DNA, RNA and proteins. In this review, we mainly focus on how lncRNAs affect cancer metastasis by modulating expression of key metastasis-associated genes at various levels of gene regulation. We also discuss how lncRNAs confer cancer cells either sensitivity or resistance to various chemo-therapeutic drugs via different mechanisms. Finally, we highlight the immense potential of lncRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets in cancer.

A Potential Immune-Related Long Non-coding RNA Prognostic Signature for Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, largely because of late diagnosis. Recent studies suggest that the expression levels of immune-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in the prognosis of OC; however, the potential of immune-related lncRNAs as prognostic factors in OC remains unexplored. In this study, we aimed to identify a potential immune-related lncRNA prognostic signature for OC patients. We used RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify immune-related lncRNAs that could serve as useful biomarkers for OC diagnosis and prognosis. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify the immune-related lncRNAs with prognostic value. Functional annotation of the data was performed through the GenCLiP310 website. Seven differentially expressed lncRNAs (AC007406.4, AC008750.1, AL022341.2, AL133351.1, FAM74A7, LINC02229, and HOXB-AS2) were found to be independent prognostic factors for OC patients. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that patients in the high-risk group had a poorer survival outcome than those in the low-risk group. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the predictive potential of the immune-related lncRNA signature for OC was robust. The prognostic signature of the seven lncRNAs was successfully validated in the GSE9891, GSE26193 datasets and our clinical specimens. Multivariate analyses suggested that the signature of the seven lncRNAs was an independent prognostic factor for OC patients. Finally, we constructed a nomogram model and a competing endogenous RNA network related to the lncRNA prognostic signature. In conclusion, our study reveals novel immune-related lncRNAs that may serve as independent prognostic factors in OC.