In vitro and in vivo studies on the association of long non‑coding RNAs H19 and urothelial cancer associated 1 with the susceptibility to 5‑fluorouracil in rectal cancer

Long non-coding RNA H19 enhances the pro-apoptotic activity of ITF2357 (a histone deacetylase inhibitor) in colorectal cancer cells

Introduction: Long non-coding RNA H19 (lncH19) is highly expressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and plays critical roles in tumor development, proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance. Indeed, the expression of lncH19 usually affects the outcomes of chemo-, endocrine, and targeted therapies. ITF2357 (givinostat) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) that revealed a significant anti-tumor action by inducing apoptosis in different tumor models, including leukemia, melanoma, and glioblastoma. However, no data are present in the literature regarding the use of this compound for CRC treatment. Here, we investigate the role of lncH19 in ITF2357-induced apoptosis in CRC cells. Methods: The HCT-116 CRC cell line was stably silenced for H19 to investigate the role of this lncRNA in ITF2357-induced cell death. Cell viability assays and flow cytometric analyses were performed to assess the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of ITF2357 in CRC cell lines that are silenced or not for lncH19. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to study the effects of ITF2357 on autophagy and apoptosis markers. Finally, bioinformatics analyses were used to identify miRNAs targeting pro-apoptotic factors that can be sponged by lncH19. Results: ITF2357 increased the expression levels of H19 and reduced HCT-116 cell viability, inducing apoptosis, as demonstrated by the increase in annexin-V positivity, caspase 3 cleavage, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) degradation. Interestingly, the apoptotic effect of ITF2357 was much less evident in lncH19-silenced cells. We showed that lncH19 plays a functional role in the pro-apoptotic activity of the drug by stabilizing TP53 and its transcriptional targets, NOXA and PUMA. ITF2357 also induced autophagy in CRC cells, which was interpreted as a pro-survival response not correlated with lncH19 expression. Furthermore, ITF2357 induced apoptosis in 5-fluorouracil-resistant HCT-116 cells that express high levels of lncH19. Conclusion: This study shows that lncH19 expression contributes to ITF2357-induced apoptosis by stabilizing TP53. Overall, we suggest that lncH19 expression may be exploited to favor HDACi-induced cell death and overcome 5-fluorouracil chemoresistance.

The role of lncRNA H19 in tumorigenesis and drug resistance of human Cancers

Systemic therapy is one of the most significant cancer treatments. However, drug resistance often appears and has become the primary cause of cancer therapy failure. Regulation of drug target, drug metabolism and drug efflux, cell death escape (apoptosis, autophagy, et al.), epigenetic changes, and many other variables are complicatedly involved in the mechanisms of drug resistance. In various types of cancers, long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) has been shown to play critical roles in tumor development, proliferation, metastasis, and multiple drug resistance as well. The efficacy of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted therapy are all influenced by the expression of H19, especially in breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Here, we summarize the relationship between lncRNA H19 and tumorigenesis, and illustrate the drug resistance mechanisms caused by lncRNA H19 as well. This review may provide more therapeutic potential targets for future cancer treatments.

Function of the Long Noncoding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Classification, Molecular Mechanisms, and Significant Therapeutic Potentials

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and serious type of primary liver cancer. HCC patients have a high death rate and poor prognosis due to the lack of clear signs and inadequate treatment interventions. However, the molecular pathways that underpin HCC pathogenesis remain unclear. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new type of RNAs, have been found to play important roles in HCC. LncRNAs have the ability to influence gene expression and protein activity. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been linked to a growing number of liver disorders, including HCC. As a result, improved understanding of lncRNAs could lead to new insights into HCC etiology, as well as new approaches for the early detection and treatment of HCC. The latest results with respect to the role of lncRNAs in controlling multiple pathways of HCC were summarized in this study. The processes by which lncRNAs influence HCC advancement by interacting with chromatin, RNAs, and proteins at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels were examined. This critical review also highlights recent breakthroughs in lncRNA signaling pathways in HCC progression, shedding light on the potential applications of lncRNAs for HCC diagnosis and therapy.

LncRNA H19 Impairs Chemo and Radiotherapy in Tumorigenesis

Various treatments based on drug administration and radiotherapy have been devoted to preventing, palliating, and defeating cancer, showing high efficiency against the progression of this disease. Recently, in this process, malignant cells have been found which are capable of triggering specific molecular mechanisms against current treatments, with negative consequences in the prognosis of the disease. It is therefore fundamental to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the genes—and their signaling pathway regulators—involved in the process, in order to fight tumor cells. Long non-coding RNAs, H19 in particular, have been revealed as powerful protective factors in various types of cancer. However, they have also evidenced their oncogenic role in multiple carcinomas, enhancing tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In this review, we analyze the role of lncRNA H19 impairing chemo and radiotherapy in tumorigenesis, including breast cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, glioma, and colorectal carcinoma.

LncRNAs Associated with Chemoradiotherapy Response and Prognosis in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

There are only limited studies on the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) response and prognosis of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients. This study identified lncRNAs associated with NCRT response and prognosis in CRC patients and explored their potential predictive mechanisms.

METHODS

The study subjected the LncRNA expression profiles from our previous gene chip data to LASSO and identified a four-lncRNA signature that predicted NCRT response and prognosis. A Cox regression model was subsequently performed to identify the prognostic risk factors. The function of LINC00909, the lncRNA with the most powerful predictive ability, was finally identified in vivo and in vitro using CRC cell lines.

RESULTS

A comparison of the relative lncRNA expression of NCRT-responsive and non-responsive patients revealed four hub lncRNAs: DBET, LINC00909, FLJ33534, and HSD52 with AUC = 0.68, 0.73, 0.73, and 0.70, respectively (all p < 0.05). COX regression analysis further demonstrated that DBET, LINC00909 and FLJ33534 were associated with the DFS in CRC patients. The expression of the four lncRNAs was also significant in LARC patients who had not undergone NCRT (all p < 0.05). A risk score model was subsequently constructed based on the results of the multivariate COX analysis and used to predict NCRT response and prognosis in the CRC and LARC patients. The expression and prognosis of DBET, LINC00909 and FLJ33534 in the CRC tissues were further validated in the R2 platform and Oncomine database. Notably, overexpression of the LINC00909 increased the cell line resistance to the 5-FU and radiotherapy in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

DBET, LINC00909, and FLJ33534 are potential novel biomarkers for predicting NCRT response and prognosis in CRC patients. In particular, LINC00909 is an effective oncogene in CRC that could be used as a novel therapeutic target to enhance NCRT response.

5-Fluorouracil: A Narrative Review on the Role of Regulatory Mechanisms in Driving Resistance to This Chemotherapeutic Agent

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is among the mostly administrated chemotherapeutic agents for a wide variety of neoplasms. Non-coding RNAs have a central impact on the determination of the response of patients to 5-FU. These transcripts via modulation of cancer-related pathways, cell apoptosis, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and other aspects of cell behavior can affect cell response to 5-FU. Modulation of expression levels of microRNAs or long non-coding RNAs may be a suitable approach to sensitize tumor cells to 5-FU treatment via modulating multiple biological signaling pathways such as Hippo/YAP, Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, NF-kB, and Notch cascades. Moreover, there is an increasing interest in targeting these transcripts in various kinds of cancers that are treated by 5-FU. In the present article, we provide a review of the function of non-coding transcripts in the modulation of response of neoplastic cells to 5-FU.

LncRNA H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer in a Chinese Han population: A case-control study

Background

Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is involved in the carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, a few studies explored the relationship between lncRNA H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism and CRC risk, but with conflicting findings.

Materials and methods

A case‐control study with 315 CRC cases and 441 controls was designed in a Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using PCR‐RFLP.

Results

It was found rs2839698 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of CRC (AA vs GG: OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54‐0.98; P = .037; A vs G: OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63‐0.96; P = .021). Stratified analyses indicated this positive association was also significant in the non‐smokers (AA vs GG: OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25‐0.93; P = .029), non‐drinkers, those aged ≥ 60 years, and overweight individuals (BMI ≥ 24). In addition, rs2839698 polymorphism was also related to the lymph node metastasis (AA vs GG: OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21‐0.88; P = .019) and tumor size (AA vs GG: OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.20‐0.88; P = .020) for patients with CRC.

Conclusion

To sum up, the lncRNA H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism decreases the risk of CRC in Chinese individuals, especially among the non‐smokers, non‐drinkers, individuals aged ≥ 60 years, and overweight individuals (BMI ≥ 24). Thus, the lncRNA H19 gene rs2839698 polymorphism might be an important biomarker and diagnostic marker for predicting the susceptibility to CRC in Chinese Han population.

Comprehensive biological function analysis of lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered in human genomes by gene chip, next-generation sequencing, and/or other methods in recent years, which represent a significant subset of the universal genes involved in a wide range of biological functions. An abnormal expression of lncRNAs is associated with the growth, invasion, and metastasis of various types of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is an aggressive, highly malignant, and invasive tumor, and a poor prognosis in China. With a more in-depth understanding of lncRNA research for HCC and the emergence of new molecular-targeted therapies, the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of HCC will be considerably improved. Therefore, this review is expected to provide recommendations and directions for future lncRNA research for HCC.