NF-kappa B interacting long noncoding RNA enhances the Warburg effect and angiogenesis and is associated with decreased survival of patients with gliomas.

In various malignant tumors, NF-kappa B interacting long noncoding RNA (NKILA) displays antitumor activity by inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. However, the role of NKILA in gliomas remains unclear. Surprisingly, this study showed that NKILA is significantly upregulated in gliomas, and the increased levels of NKILA were correlated with a decrease in patient survival time. NKILA increased the expression level of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and the activity of the hypoxia pathway in gliomas. Furthermore, we demonstrated that NKILA enhances the Warburg effect and angiogenesis in gliomas both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, NKILA is a potential therapeutic target in gliomas. In addition, we showed that a 20(S)-Rg3 monomer suppresses NKILA accumulation and reverses its stimulation of the Warburg effect and angiogenesis in gliomas, both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this study not only identified NKILA as a potential therapeutic target in gliomas, but also demonstrated a practical approach to treatment.