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

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 ( < 0.001). Expression was significantly linked with the tumour oestrogen receptor expression ( = 0.023) and tumour progesterone receptor expression ( < 0.001). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.75) ( < 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.