Abstract

BackgroundmicroRNA (miR)-342–3p is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. In the present study, we aimed to explore the expression, prognostic significance, and biological relevance of miR-342-3p in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsWe examined miR-342-3p expression in 79 paired NPC specimens and corresponding normal tissues and analyzed its prognostic impact on overall survival of NPC patients. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to determine the biological roles of miR-342-3p.ResultsCompared with matched normal nasopharyngeal tissues, miR-342-3p was significantly downregulated in NPC (P = 0.0038). Low miR-342-3p expression was significantly correlated with reduced overall survival (P = 0.0084). Ectopic expression of miR-342-3p significantly suppressed proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of NPC cells. In contrast, depletion of miR-342-3p facilitated NPC cell proliferation and invasion. In vivo xenograft studies confirmed that overexpression of miR-342-3p restrained the growth of NPC xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, FOXQ1 served as a functional target of miR-342-3p. There was a significantly negative correlation between miR-342-3p and FOXQ1 expression (r = − 0.487, P = 0.004) in NPC specimens. Overexpression of FOXQ1 rescued the inhibitory effects of miR-342-3p on NPC cell growth and invasion.ConclusionsmiR-342-3p downregulation predicts poor prognosis in NPC patients and shows suppressive activity against NPC growth and invasion through repression of FOXQ1. Restoration of miR-342-3p may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for NPC.

Highlights

  • MicroRNA-342–3p is frequently dysregulated in human cancers

  • It was reported that miR-519 inhibits the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells by repressing URG4/URGCP [13]. miR-342-3p is frequently dysregulated in human cancers, such as colon cancer [14] and pancreatic cancer [15]

  • Results miR-342-3p is downregulated in NPC and predicts poor prognosis A total of 79 paired non-malignant and NPC specimens were analyzed for miR-342-3p expression

Read more

Summary

Introduction

MicroRNA (miR)-342–3p is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. We aimed to explore the expression, prognostic significance, and biological relevance of miR-342-3p in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy is the primary treatment for locally advanced NPC. MiRs play a critical role in the growth and progression of cancers [12]. MiR-342-3p is frequently dysregulated in human cancers, such as colon cancer [14] and pancreatic cancer [15]. This miR shows growth-suppressive activity in hepatocellular carcinoma [16], lung cancer [17], and gallbladder cancer [18]. The biological function of miR-342-3p in NPC is still unknown

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.