LINC01063 promotes colon cancer progression via the miR-134-5p/KRAS axis and serves as a prognostic biomarker.

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis of colon cancer is still unsatisfactory, and there is an urgent need for reliable biomarkers and mechanistic studies. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor progression is well established, but the prognostic value and mechanism of LINC01063 in colon cancer are unclear.

METHODS

We analyzed samples of colon cancer tissues and paracancerous normal tissues from 116 patients and performed functional experiments in the RKO/HCT116 cell line. The expressions of LINC01063 and miR-134-5p were measured using qRT-PCR. Clinical significance was assessed by statistical methods, and their interactions were verified by dual luciferase assay. The biological effects were evaluated by CCK-8, Transwell, and apoptosis assays.

RESULTS

LINC01063 was upregulated in cancer tissues, associated with the TNM staging system and lymph node dissemination, and an independent predictor of poor prognosis. LINC01063 acts as a "molecular sponge" to adsorb miR-134-5p and deregulate its inhibitory effect on KRAS. Knockdown of LINC01063 inhibited cell proliferation/invasion and promoted apoptosis, partially reversed by miR-134-5p inhibition. LINC01063 sponged miR-134-5p to relieve inhibition of KRAS, with KRAS mediating its pro-tumor effects.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we demonstrated that LINC01063 can be used as an independent prognostic marker for colon cancer and explored its promotion of colon cancer cancer progression through the miR-134-5p/KRAS axis. Future studies will focus on in vivo validation and elucidation of downstream signaling cascades, while clinically, LINC01063 holds potential as a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for KRAS-mutant colon cancer, aiding in personalized treatment strategies.