Targeting LINC02613 to inhibit oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis and progression via the rehabilitation of LCP1 ubiquitination.

Lymph node metastasis of tumors is an important adverse factor affecting the long-term prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In recent years, the abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has gained attention because of their significant role in regulating tumor biological behaviors. Exploring key regulatory targets of lncRNAs in OSCC metastasis could provide new diagnostic and therapeutic targets for predicting and intervening in metastasis. In this study, we identified and validated LINC02613 as a critical lncRNA with a significant regulatory role in promoting OSCC metastasis and progression. Further research revealed that LINC02613 interacts with lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1 (LCP1), shielding its ubiquitination site and interfering with its normal ubiquitination degradation process, thereby promoting OSCC metastasis and progression. Using pH-responsive nanoparticles (PLGA-Dlink) loaded with siLINC02613 for targeted delivery in vivo and in vitro, we successfully inhibited OSCC metastasis and progression, providing a new potential therapeutic approach for OSCC treatment.