Blocking circ_0010235 suppresses acquired paclitaxel resistance of non-small cell lung cancer by sponging miR-512-5p to modulate FAM83F expression.

The occurrence of paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major challenge for NSCLC treatment. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to associate with cancer resistance, but the role of circ_0010235 in PTX resistance of NSCLC is unclear. The expression of circ_0010235 and microRNA-512-5p (miR-512-5p) were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell counting kit-8 assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to measure the PTX resistance, proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of cells. All proteins were assessed via western blot analysis. The combination between miR-512-5p and circ_0010235 or FAM83F was predicted by the online database and confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Angiogenesis assay was used to detect the ability of cells to form blood vessels. Animal experiments were employed to confirm the effect of circ_0010235 on NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0010235 and FAM83F were upregulated in PTX-resistant NSCLC tissues and cells. Circ_0010235 knockdown suppressed the resistance to PTX, proliferation, angiogenesis and migration/invasion in A549/PTX and H1299/PTX cells but promoted apoptosis rate. MiR-512-5p could be sponged by circ_0010235, and its overexpression had an inhibition effect on the PTX resistance of NSCLC cells. FAM83F was a target of miR-512-5p and circ_0010235 could modulate FAM83F expression by sponging miR-512-5p. In vivo experiments revealed that silenced circ_0010235 could improve the sensitivity of the tumor to PTX. Therefore, these findings advocated targeting the circ_0010235/miR-512-5p/FAM83F axis as a potential therapeutic option for patients with NSCLC who are resistant to PTX.