Long noncoding RNA HOXA-AS2 promotes cell migration and invasion via upregulating IGF-2 in non-small cell lung cancer as an oncogene

F.-X. Zheng, X.-Q. Wang, W.-X. Zheng, J. Zhao

Department of Radiotherapy, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, China. rqeb71@163.com

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• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have revealed the vital role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor progression. This study aims to determine whether lncRNA HOXA-AS2 functions in the metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR) was conducted to detect HOXA-AS2 expression in NSCLC tissues. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were performed to evaluate the function of HOXA-AS2 in mediating the behaviors of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the interaction between IGF2 and HOXA-AS2 in mediating the metastasis of NSCLC was analyzed.

RESULTS: By comparing with the expression level in adjacent tissues, HOXA-AS2 expression was higher in NSCLC samples. Moreover, HOXA-AS2 knockdown inhibited invasion and migration of NSCLC cells and, conversely, HOXA-AS2 overexpression obtained the opposite results. In addition, the mRNA and protein expressions of IGF2 were downregulated via HOXA-AS2 knockdown. Besides, the expression of IGF2 was positively correlated to the expression of HOXA-AS2 in NSCLC tissues.

CONCLUSIONS: In this work, HOXA-AS2 could enhance migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells by upregulating IGF2, which might offer a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.

The Publisher has issued an Expression of Concern regarding this article. For details, please refer to the published notice at Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2025; 29 (6): 287-288.

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