Overexpression of long non-coding RNA MCM3AP-AS1 in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent non-tumour tissues

ABSTRACT

Background

Altered expression of several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been described in numerous malignancies, including breast cancer, and some may have a role in carcinogenesis. We hypothesised differences in the expression of lncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 in breast cancer tissues compared to nearby healthy tissues and potential links with clinical features.

Methods

We tested our hypothesis in 102 pairs of breast cancer tumours and adjacent non-tumour tissues from female patients. After RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis was performed for all specimens. The differential gene expression was assessed using Quantitative Real-Time PCR Technique.

Results

There was a significant overexpression of the lncRNAs in tumour tissues as compared with their adjacent non-tumour tissues (P < 0.001). Expression was significantly linked with the tumour oestrogen receptor expression (P = 0.023) and tumour progesterone receptor expression (P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI 0.60–0.75) (P < 0.001) with sensitivity and specificity of 58% and 76%, respectively

Conclusion

The lncRNA MCM3AP-AS1 may be a novel breast cancer lncRNA with high expression levels in breast cancer patients’ tissue. Further investigations are needed to confirm its uses as a potential molecular marker and therapeutic target.

KEYWORDS:

• Breast cancer
• long non-coding RNA
• MCM3AP-AS1
• real-Time PCR

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mr Pouria Riahi, the staff of Tabriz Noor-Nejat Hospital and the participant patients for their contribution to this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Tabriz (IR) [52/407240/3].