Prognostic value of Lin28A and Lin28B in various human malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Expression of Pluripotency Factors OCT4 and LIN28 Correlates with Survival Outcome in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background and Objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality despite recent therapeutic advances. Cancer stem cells have gained increasing attention due to their ability to induce cancer cell proliferation through self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell lineages. OCT4 and LIN28 (and their homologs A and B) have been identified as key regulators of pluripotency in mammalian embryonic (ES) and induced stem (IS) cells, and they are the crucial regulators of cancer progression. However, their exact role in lung adenocarcinoma has not yet been clarified. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to explore the role of the pluripotency factors OCT4 and LIN28 in a cohort of surgically resected human lung adenocarcinomas to reveal possible biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma prognosis and potential therapeutic targets. The expressions of OCT4, LIN28A and LIN28B were analyzed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 96 patients with lung adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry. The results were analyzed with clinicopathologic parameters and were related to the prognosis of patients. Results: Higher OCT4 expression was related to an improved 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (p < 0.001). Nuclear LIN28B expression was lower in stage I and II tumors (p < 0.05) compared to advanced stage tumors. LIN28B cytoplasmic expression was associated with 5-year OS rates not only in univariate (p < 0.005), but also in multivariate analysis (where age, gender, histopathological subtype and stage were used as cofactors, p < 0.01 HR = 2.592). Patients with lower LIN28B expression showed improved 5-year OS rates compared to patients with increased LIN28B expression. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that OCT4 and LIN28B are implicated in lung adenocarcinoma progression and prognosis outcome; thus, they serve as promising prognostic biomarkers and putative therapeutic targets in lung adenocarcinomas.

Association of LIN28B Gene Polymorphisms (rs221634, rs221635, rs314276, rs9404590, and rs12194974) with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Susceptibility and Clinical/Pathological Features

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Lymphoma is a common hematopoietic cancer.  It has been proposed that LIN28B gene and its variations may have function in cancer progression and metastasis. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation has been to examine the correlation among LIN28B gene polymorphisms (such as rs221634 A>T, rs221635 T> C, rs314276 C>A, rs9404590 T>G, and rs12194974 G>A) as well as the risk of NHL in an Iranian sample.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the current case-control research, 175 individuals with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma along with 175 normal controls participated; polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology has been utilized to the genotype samples.

RESULTS

Our data demonstrated that rs12194974 and the rs221635 variants have been correlated with higher NHL risk, while rs221634 and rs314276 variants were correlated with lower risk of NHL (P≤0.05). In addition, we detected an association between rs221634 and treatment with R-CHOP. No substantial correlation has discovered among rs9404590 polymorphism and NHL in any inheritance models (P≥0.05).

CONCLUSION

This was the first investigation evaluating the correlation among LIN28B gene polymorphisms as well as the occurrence of NLH. Further studies in different ethnic populations and large-scale sample size are needed to support results.

The molecular basis of tumor metastasis and current approaches to decode targeted migration-promoting events in pediatric neuroblastoma

Cell motility is a crucial biological process that plays a critical role in the development of multicellular organisms and is essential for tissue formation and regeneration. However, uncontrolled cell motility can lead to the development of various diseases, including neoplasms. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the discovery of regulatory mechanisms underlying the metastatic spread of neuroblastoma, a solid pediatric tumor that originates in the embryonic migratory cells of the neural crest. The highly motile phenotype of metastatic neuroblastoma cells requires targeting of intracellular and extracellular processes, that, if affected, would be helpful for the treatment of high-risk patients with neuroblastoma, for whom current therapies remain inadequate. Development of new potentially migration-inhibiting compounds and standardized preclinical approaches for the selection of anti-metastatic drugs in neuroblastoma will also be discussed.

Role of the RNA-binding protein family in gynecologic cancers

Gynecological cancers pose a threat to women's health. Although early-stage gynecological cancers show good outcomes after standardized treatment, the prognosis of patients with advanced, met-astatic, and recurrent cancers is poor. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important cellular proteins that interact with RNA through RNA-binding domains and participate extensively in post-transcriptional regulatory processes, such as mRNA alternative splicing, polyadenylation, intracellular localization and stability, and translation. Abnormal RBP expression affects the normal function of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in many malignancies, thus leading to the occurrence or progression of cancers. Similarly, RBPs play crucial roles in gynecological carcinogenesis. We summarize the role of RBPs in gynecological malignancies and explore their potential in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The findings summarized in this review may provide a guide for future research on the functions of RBPs.

Targeting EGFR, RSK1, RAF1, PARP2 and LIN28B for several cancer type therapies with newly synthesized pyrazole derivatives via a computational study

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in the world despite the significant advancements made in anticancer drug discovery. This study is aimed to computationally evaluate the efficacy of 63 in-house synthesized pyrazole derivatives targeted to bind with prominent cancer targets namely EGFR, RSK1, RAF1, PARP2 and LIN28B known to be expressed, respectively, in lung, colon, skin, ovarian and pancreatic cancer cells. Initially, we perform the molecular docking investigations for all pyrazole compounds with a comparison to known standard drugs for each target. Docking studies have revealed that some pyrazole compounds possess better binding affinity scores than standard drug compounds. Thereafter, a long-range of 1 μs molecular dynamic (MD) simulation study for top ranked docked compounds with all respective proteins was carried out to assess the interaction stability in a dynamic environment. The results suggested that the top ranked complexes showed a stable interaction profile for a longer period of time. The outcome of this study suggests that pyrazole compounds, M33, M36, M76 and M77, are promising molecular candidates that can modulate the studied target proteins significantly in comparison to their known inhibitor based on their selective binding interactions profile. Furthermore, ADME-T profile has been explored to check for the drug-likeness and pharmacokinetics profiles and found that all proposed compounds exhibited acceptable values for being a potential drug-like candidate with non-toxic characteristics. Overall, extensive computational investigations indicate that the four proposed pyrazole inhibitors/modulators studied against each respective target protein will be helpful for future cancer therapeutic developments.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Role of circRNAs in gastric cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of non-coding RNAs with single-strand covalently closed loops, formed by reverse splicing, which widely exist in many cell lines and diverse species. Some circRNAs have highly evolutionarily conserved sequences, or tissue-specific or cell-specific expression patterns, and many circRNAs are extremely stable. In the past decades, accumulating evidence has indicated that circRNAs participate in the mechanisms associated with the development of many kinds of tumors, exert important biological functions by acting as microRNA or protein ‘sponges’, transcriptional regulatory factors, and protein translation templates, and play key roles in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. This review comprehensively summarizes the biogenesis, characteristics, and biological functions of circRNAs, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of circRNAs in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer.

Effects of Let-7c on the processing of hepatitis B virus associated liver diseases

Background

The most common type of cancer of the digestive system is hepatocellular carcinoma. In China, many patients harbour HBV. The lin28B/Let-7c/MYC axis is associated with the occurrence of many cancers. Therefore, we aimed to illuminate the function of the lin28B/Let-7c/MYC axis in hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the critical involvement of lin28B and Let-7c in the carcinogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma (B-HCC).

Methods

Data from the GEO database were used to analyse differentially expressed genes and IRGs. A protein − protein interaction (PPI) network and Venn diagram were generated to analyse relationships. Real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to examine the association of lin28B, Let-7c, and MYC with cell proliferation.

Results

A total of 2552 functionally annotated differentially expressed RNAs were analysed in HBV patients from the GSE135860 database. In addition, 46 let-7c target genes were screened in HBV patients, and the interactions were analysed through PPI network analysis. The results confirmed that Let-7c and its target genes play a key role in HBV-related diseases. Next, we discovered a gradual decrease in Let-7c expression during the progression from HBV-associated chronic hepatitis (B-CH) and HBV-associated liver cirrhosis (B-LC) to B-HCC. We found evidence for a negative association between lin28B expression and Let-7c expression. The expression of MYC was obviously upregulated when Let-7c was inhibited.

Conclusion

Our results highlight that Let-7c and lin28B participate in the carcinogenesis of HBV-associated diseases through the lin28B/Let-7c/MYC axis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13027-022-00458-8.

LIN28B Polymorphisms Confer a Higher Postoperative Recurrence Risk in Reproductive-Age Women with Endometrial Polyps

The RNA-binding protein LIN28B is an important factor for cell proliferation. Because LIN28B polymorphisms have been shown to be relative with the recurrence of some hyperplastic diseases, we hypothesized that genetic variants of LIN28B gene were associated with postoperative recurrence risk in reproductive-age women with endometrial polyps (EP). In a hospital-based cohort of 351 reproductive female patients underwent hysteroscopic polypectomies between May 2018 and Jan 2020, we genotyped two common polymorphisms in LIN28B gene (rs369065 C > T and rs314280 A > G) and analyzed their associations with the risk of postoperative recurrence in multiple Cox regression model. When followed up to Jun 2021, carries of rs369065 TT genotype had an increased risk of polyp recurrence (adjusting hazard ratio [HR] = 1.883, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.033 − 3.434) and had a shorter time to recurrence (median time 352 vs. 342 days, log-rank P < 0.01), compared to the CC/CT genotype. Further stratification analysis showed that the increased risk of rs369065 TT genotype was more evident in patients who were older than 33 years (adjusted HR = 2.597, 95%CI = 1.037 − 6.505), had a single polyp (adjusted HR = 2.545, 95%CI = 1.059 − 6.113), and had smaller polyps (<1.2 cm, adjusted HR = 2.708, 95%CI = 1.042 − 7.043). However, no significant association between rs314280 A > G polymorphism and the risk of polyp recurrence was found. Our study suggests that rs369065 TT genotype of LIN28B gene is associated with an increased postoperative recurrence risk in EP patients, especially in those with fewer and smaller polyps. These findings implicate a precise choice of clinical counseling and decision making. Larger studies in different ethnic populations are warranted.

Drug delivery approaches for HuR-targeted therapy for lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and conventional treatments for disease management have limitations associated with them. Novel therapeutic targets are thus avidly sought for the effective management of LC. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been convincingly established as key players in tumorigenesis, and their dysregulation is linked to multiple cancers, including LC. In this context, we review the role of Human antigen R (HuR), an RBP that is overexpressed in LC, and further associated with various aspects of LC tumor growth and response to therapy. Herein, we describe the role of HuR in LC progression and outline the evidences supporting various pharmacologic and biologic approaches for inhibiting HuR expression and function. These approaches, including use of small molecule inhibitors, siRNAs and shRNAs, have demonstrated favorable results in reducing tumor cell growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and metastasis. Hence, HuR has significant potential as a key therapeutic target in LC. Use of siRNA-based approaches, however, have certain limitations that prevent their maximal exploitation as cancer therapies. To address this, in the conclusion of this review, we provide a list of nanomedicine-based HuR targeting approaches currently being employed for siRNA and shRNA delivery, and provide a rationale for the immense potential therapeutic benefits offered by nanocarrier-based HuR targeting and its promise for treating patients with LC.

Lin28A/CENPE Promoting the Proliferation and Chemoresistance of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

The prognosis of chemoresistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still poor, mainly owing to the sustained proliferation ability of leukemic cells, while the microtubules have a major role in sustaining the continuity of cell cycle. In the present study, we have identified CENPE, a microtubular kinesin-like motor protein that is highly expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with chemoresistant AML. In our in vitro studies, knockdown of CENPE expression resulted in the suppression of proliferation of myeloid leukemia cells and reversal of cytarabine (Ara-C) chemoresistance. Furthermore, Lin28A, one of the RNA-binding oncogene proteins that increase cell proliferation and invasion and contribute to unfavorable treatment responses in certain malignancies, was found to be remarkably correlated with CENPE expression in chemoresistance AML. Overexpression of LIN28A promoted the proliferation and Ara-C chemoresistance of leukemic cells. RIP assay, RNA pull-down, and dual luciferase reporter analyses indicated that LIN28A bound specifically to the promoter region GGAGA of CENPE. In addition, the impacts of LIN28A on cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and Ara-C chemoresistance were reverted by the knockdown of CENPE. Hence, Lin28A/CENPE has enhanced the proliferation and chemoresistance of AML, and therefore, it could be a prospective candidate for AML treatment.

MicroRNA let-7b inhibits hepatitis C virus and induces apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

BACKGROUND

Small non-coding RNAs have emerged as essential modulators of viral infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV). Cellular miRNAs directly regulate the viral infectivity and indirectly by targeting virus-host factors. The current study investigates the inhibitory effect of let-7b miRNA on HCV replication in the Hepatocarcinoma cell line (Huh7.5).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The algorithm-based search revealed that let-7b, a high score microRNA, has target sequences on the HCV genome. The Huh7.5 cells were stably transduced with let-7b lentiviral vectors (Huh7.5/let-7b) and mock (Huh7.5/scrambled). The expression of the let-7b level was assessed by real-time PCR assay and Red fluorescence microscope. A dual-luciferase assay was conducted to evaluate the liver-specific let-7b and HCV genome interaction. In the next step, for establishing HCVcc, Full-length HCV-RNA was transduced to naïve Huh7.5, Huh7.5/scrambled, and Huh7.5/let-7b cells. The results of in silico analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay exhibited a specific interaction of HCV-NS5B and let-7b. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that in contrast to infected naïve Huh7.5 cells and Huh7.5/scrambled, a significant decrease in HCV-RNA load was seen in Huh7.5/let-7b cells. On the other hand, the Flow Cytometry test showed that let-7b could significantly induce the apoptosis pathway in Huh7.5/let-7b.

CONCLUSIONS

The results also suggest that let-7b, as a target of the HCV genome, potentially reduces HCV replication and raises cell apoptosis rate. We suggest that let-7b directly downregulates HCV replication and may serve as a unique antiviral therapy.

Controversial roles of cold‑inducible RNA‑binding protein in human cancer (Review)

Cold‑inducible RNA‑binding protein (CIRBP) is a cold‑shock protein comprised of an RNA‑binding motif that is induced by several stressors, such as cold shock, UV radiation, nutrient deprivation, reactive oxygen species and hypoxia. CIRBP can modulate post‑transcriptional regulation of target mRNA, which is required to control DNA repair, circadian rhythms, cell growth, telomere integrity and cardiac physiology. In addition, the crucial function of CIRBP in various human diseases, including cancers and inflammatory disease, has been reported. Although CIRBP is primarily considered to be an oncogene, it may also serve a role in tumor suppression. In the present study, the controversial roles of CIRBP in various human cancers is summarized, with a focus on the interconnectivity between CIRBP and its target mRNAs involved in tumorigenesis. CIRBP may represent an important prognostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer therapy.

In vitro and in vivo synergistic anti-tumor effect of LIN28 inhibitor and metformin in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer stem cell therapy is becoming a focal point for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). They can be regulated by tumor glucose metabolism, whereas the regulation is not fully investigated in OSCC. Herein, we studied the synergistic anti-tumor effect of a LIN28 inhibitor C1632 and hypoglycemic medication metformin in OSCC. In this study, OSCC cell lines SCC9 and CAL27 were treated with C1632 and metformin respectively or synergistically. First, western blotting was performed to detect the expression level of LIN28 and its downstream molecule HMGA2. Second, MTT assay was conducted to assess cell proliferation. Next, wound healing assay and transwell assay were applied to evaluate cell migration. Then, xenograft mouse experiment was done to explore anti-tumor effect in vivo. Finally, western blotting was used to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of the synergistic effect oft he two medication. Results showed that LIN28 and HMGA2 expression decreased significantly in SCC9 and CAL27 cells under 240 μM C1632 treatment for 72 h. These effects were synergized under combined treatment for 24 h. Cell proliferation ability and migration ability of both cell lines decreased significantly under respective and combined treatment. In xenograft mouse experiment, tumor weights decreased by 48% under 40 mg/kg/3d C1632 treatment, 53% under 250 mg/kg/d metformin treatment and 91% under combined treatment for 18 days. Tumor volumes decreased by 32%, 57% and 47% under C1632, metformin and combined treatment respectively. These results indicated that C1632 and metformin exerts synergistic anti-tumor effects in OSCC cell lines SCC9 and CAL27, and also inhibits xenograft tumor growth in vivo.

Impact of Lin28 on lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Lin28 is involved in the progression of several types of tumors. Data collected from clinical trials have suggested that Lin28 expression is correlated with poor prognosis in thyroid carcinoma. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between Lin28 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Accordingly, the clinical data and diagnostic results from 237 patients with PTC were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to evaluate the Lin28 expression levels in thyroid tissue samples. Associations between the expression levels and clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. Lin28 was expressed in 96/237 (40.5%) of PTC specimens. Compared with patients with no Lin28 expression, patients with expression had higher rates of lymph node metastasis (P<0.001) and larger tumors (P=0.011). Multivariate analysis revealed that Lin28 was associated with lymph node metastasis. Next, bioinformatics analysis was performed based using the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Lin28 expression was associated with aggressive tumor characteristics, such as lymph node metastasis and larger tumors. In conclusion, the present study revealed that Lin28 expression served as a risk factor for lymph node metastasis. Accordingly, Lin28 expression may be used as a prognostic marker to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC. In addition, Lin28 may serve as a therapeutic target in the management of this tumor type, which may help improve patient outcomes.

The Biological Role of Sponge Circular RNAs in Gastric Cancer: Main Players or Coadjuvants?

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of long noncoding RNAs able to perform multiple functions, including sponging microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-Binding Proteins (RBPs). They play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis, but its involvement during gastric cancer (GC) development and progression are not well understood. We gathered miRNA and/or RBPs sponge circRNAs present in GC, and accessed their biological roles through functional enrichment of their target genes or ligand RBPs. We identified 54 sponge circRNAs in GC that are able to sponge 51 miRNAs and 103 RBPs. Then, we evaluated their host gene expression using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and observed that COL1A2 is the most overexpressed gene, which may be due to circHIPK3/miR-29b-c/COL1A2 axis dysregulation. We identified 27 GC-related pathways that may be affected mainly by circPVT1, circHIPK3 and circNF1. Our results indicate that circHIPK3/miR-107/BDNF/LIN28 axis may mediate chemoresistance in GC, and that circPVT1, circHIPK3, circNF1, ciRS-7 and circ_0000096 appear to be involved in gastrointestinal cancer development. Lastly, circHIPK3, circNRIP1 and circSMARCA5 were identified in different ethnic populations and may be ubiquitous modulators of gastric carcinogenesis. Overall, the studied sponge circRNAs are part of a complex RBP-circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network, and are involved in the establishment, chemoresistance and progression of GC.

Lin28A Regulates Stem-like Properties of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Enriching RAN and HSBP1 mRNA and Up-regulating its Protein Expression

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the malignant tumors that seriously threaten women's health, with the highest mortality rate in gynecological malignancies. The prognosis of patients with advanced OC is still poor, and the 5-year survival rate is only 20-30%. Therefore, how to improve the early diagnosis rate and therapeutic effect are urgent for patients with OC. In this research, we found that Lin28A can promote the expression of stem cell marker molecules CD133, CD44, OCT4 and Nanog. We later confirmed that Lin28A can enrich the mRNA of ras-related nuclear protein (RAN) and heat shock factor binding protein 1 (HSBP1) through RIP assay, and that Lin28A can regulate their protein expression. We also identified that RAN and HSBP1 are highly expressed in OC tissues, and that they are significantly positively correlated with the expression of Lin28A and negatively correlated with the survival prognosis of OC patients. After stable knockdown of RAN or HSBP1 in OC cells with high expression of Lin28A, the expression of the stem cell marker molecules such as OCT4, CD44 and Nanog are reduced. And after knocking down of RAN or HSBP1 in Lin28A highly expressed OC cells, the survival and invasion of OC cells and tumor size of OC xenograft in nude mice were markedly inhibited and apoptosis was increased. Our data also showed that knock down of RAN or HSBP1 can inhibit the invasion ability of OC cells by decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin and promoting the expression of E-cadherin. Meanwhile, knockdown of RAN or HSBP1 induced cell apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of PARP. Our results indicated that Lin28A could regulate the biological behaviors in OC cells through RAN/HSBP1. These findings suggest that Lin28A/RAN/HSBP1 can be used as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis of OC patients, and RAN/HSBP1 may be a potential new target for gene therapy of OC.

Complexity in regulating microRNA biogenesis in cancer

The discovery of microRNA (miRNA) significantly extends our knowledge on gene regulation and noncoding gene functions. MiRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators involve in a wide range of biological functions and diseases, including cancer. MiRNAs are produced by a unique biogenesis pathway involving the two-step sequential nuclear and cytoplasmic RNase-dependent processing at post-transcriptional level. However, a specific (set) of miRNA(s) is (are) synthesized under certain circumstance or developmental/pathological stage to fine-tune the gene expression profile. In this minireview, we will discuss the mechanism of miRNA biogenesis in cancer, mainly focusing on how Drosha and Dicer, two critical molecules controlling miRNA biogenesis, are modulated and which factor contributes to the specificity of selected miRNA maturation.

Impact statement

The canonical maturation pathway of miRNAs is highly conserved, indicating the crucial roles of these mini-regulators in most cellular processes. Dysregulation of specific miRNAs or imbalance of miRNA abundance has been observed in cancers. Accumulating evidence has shown that the interplay between miRNA processing factors and regulatory proteins previously known as key players in cancer malignancy regulates the biogenesis of miRNAs, expression of target genes, and eventually the alteration of cellular phenotypes. This minireview summarizes the current findings in the modulation of miRNA biogenesis in cancer to advance the understanding of how noncoding RNA contributes to cancer development and malignancy.

Loss of hnRNPA2B1 inhibits malignant capability and promotes apoptosis via down-regulating Lin28B expression in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among all gynecological cancers with its pathogenic mechanisms largely unknown. Here, we uncovered that ovarian cancer tissues exhibit higher heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) expression than normal ovarian epithelium tissues. Increased hnRNPA2B1 level matches along with poor prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. Importantly, hnRNPA2B1 inhibition hampers growth, reduces mobility of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and hinders xenograft tumor formation in vivo. Transcriptome profiling analysis reveals that hnRNPA2B1 dictates the expression of various important genes involved in tumorigenesis and Lin-28 Homolog B (Lin28B) is down-regulated upon hnRNPA2B1 loss. hnRNPA2B1 regulates expression of Lin28B via binding to Lin28B mRNA and enhancing its stability. Furthermore, knockdown of Lin28B reduces proliferation and mobility of ovarian cancer cells and impairs tumorigenesis in vivo, whereas Lin28B overexpression promotes xenograft tumor formation. Finally, re-expression of Lin28B in hnRNPA2B1 knockdown cells results in rescued phenotypes. Collectively, our results demonstrate that hnRNPA2B1 facilitates the malignant phenotype of ovarian cancer through activating Lin28B expression.