Abstract
BackgroundThe long non-coding RNA Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and polycomb group protein Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) function cooperatively in carcinogenesis. However, their combined usage as prognostic markers for lung adenocarcinoma remains unverified. Materials and MethodsTo validate their combined usage, we measured the expression of both genes in the surgical samples from 83 adenocarcinoma cases using quantitative real-time PCR and analyzed the association between the gene expressions and various clinicopathological factors. We also examined the EZH2 protein levels using immunohistochemistry. Finally, we analyzed the association between their expression status and the overall survival using 54 stage I cases. ResultsBoth genes were expressed at significantly higher levels in adenocarcinoma tissues than normal lung. EZH2 expression, but not HOTAIR expression, was significantly higher in solid adenocarcinoma than in other subtypes. In the survival analysis using stage-I cases, both HOTAIR expression and EZH2 protein levels were associated with a worse prognosis. The overall survival was highest in the low-HOTAIR and low-EZH2 group (low-low), followed by the high-low or low-high group and the high-high group. According to the multivariate analysis, the high-high status of HOTAIR-EZH2 (protein) was significantly associated with a worse prognosis than the low-low group. ConclusionMore accurate prognoses would be possible by simultaneously measuring both genes than measuring either. The high-HOTAIR and high-EZH2 (protein) status, compared to the low-low, is proposed as an independent prognostic marker for stage I cases. Thus, it would serve as a potential biomarker for anti-EZH2 therapy.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
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.