HNF1A/CASC2 regulates pancreatic cancer cell proliferation through PTEN/Akt signaling

Long non-coding RNAs: Emerging regulators of invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

The invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) are key factors contributing to disease progression and poor prognosis. This process is primarily driven by EMT, which has been the focus of recent studies highlighting the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as crucial regulators of EMT. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs influence invasive metastasis are multifaceted, extending beyond EMT regulation alone.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review primarily aims to characterize lncRNAs affecting invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer. We summarize the regulatory roles of lncRNAs across multiple molecular pathways and highlight their translational potential, considering the implications for clinical applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

The review focuses on three principal scientific themes. First, we primarily summarize lncRNAs orchestrate various signaling pathways, such as TGF-β/Smad, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch, to regulate molecular changes associated with EMT, thereby enhancing cellular motility and invasivenes. Second, we summarize the effects of lncRNAs on autophagy and ferroptosis and discuss the role of exosomal lncRNAs in the tumor microenvironment to regulate the behavior of neighboring cells and promote cancer cell invasion. Third, we emphasize the effects of RNA modifications (such as m6A and m5C methylation) on stabilizing lncRNAs and enhancing their capacity to mediate invasive metastasis in PC. Lastly, we discuss the translational potential of these findings, emphasizing the inherent challenges in using lncRNAs as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets, while proposing prospective research strategies.

Long non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer

This article reviews the recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, as well as the relationship between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in disease progression. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has no early symptoms and quickly invades surrounding tissue and organs, making it one of the deadliest. Accordingly, we urgently need to identify high-risk individuals with precancerous lesions through screening methods to identify early disease, provide better prevention strategies and improve overall survival. LncRNAs have a variety of biological functions in both physiologic and pathophysiologic states including tumor growth, differentiation and proliferation. Herein we review the biological functions, expression patterns, clinical significance and targeted therapy potential of lncRNAs to provide new approaches for diagnosis and treatment in pancreatic cancer.

HNF1ɑ promotes colorectal cancer progression via HKDC1-mediated activation of AKT/AMPK signaling pathway

The hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF1ɑ) is a transcription factor that contributes to several kinds of cancer progression. However, very little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying the activity of HNF1ɑ. We aimed to explore the role of HNF1ɑ in the progress of colorectal cancer (CRC) and elucidate its molecular mechanism. HNF1ɑ expression was upregulated in CRC samples and high expression of HNF1ɑ was associated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. HNF1α knockdown and overexpression inhibited and promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo respectively. Mechanistically, HNF1ɑ increased the transcriptional activity of hexokinase domain component 1（HKDC1）promoter, thus activated AKT/AMPK signaling. Meanwhile, HKDC1 upregulation was important for the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells and knockdown of HKDC1 significantly reversed the proliferation, migration and invasion induced by HNF1α overexpression. Taken together, HNF1ɑ contributes to CRC progression and metastasis through binding to HKDC1 and activating AKT/AMPK signaling. Targeting HNF1ɑ could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRC patients.

Roles of lncRNAs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Diagnosis, treatment, and the development of drug resistance

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers, primarily due to its late diagnosis, high propensity to metastasis, and the development of resistance to chemo-/radiotherapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are intimately involved in the treatment resistance of pancreatic cancer cells via interacting with critical signaling pathways and may serve as potential diagnostic/prognostic markers or therapeutic targets in PDAC.

DATA SOURCES

We carried out a systematic review on lncRNAs-based research in the context of pancreatic cancer and presented an overview of the updated information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNAs-modulated pancreatic cancer progression and drug resistance, together with their potential value in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of PDAC. Literature mining was performed in PubMed with the following keywords: long non-coding RNA, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer up to January 2022. Publications relevant to the roles of lncRNAs in diagnosis, prognosis, drug resistance, and therapy of PDAC were collected and systematically reviewed.

RESULTS

LncRNAs, such as HOTAIR, HOTTIP, and PVT1, play essential roles in regulating pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance, thus may serve as potential diagnostic/prognostic markers or therapeutic targets in PDAC. They participate in tumorigenesis mainly by targeting miRNAs, interacting with signaling molecules, and involving in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process.

CONCLUSIONS

The functional lncRNAs play essential roles in pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance and have potential values in diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and treatment of PDAC.

Emerging roles of long noncoding RNAs in chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in the world due to the lack of early symptoms, metastasis occurrence and chemoresistance. Therefore, early diagnosis by detection of biomarkers, blockade of metastasis, and overcoming chemoresistance are the effective strategies to improve the survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Accumulating evidence has revealed that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) play essential roles in modulating chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer. In this review article, we will summarize the role of lncRNAs in drug resistance of pancreatic cancer cells, including HOTTIP, HOTAIR, PVT1, linc-ROR, GAS5, UCA1, DYNC2H1-4, MEG3, TUG1, HOST2, HCP5, SLC7A11-AS1 and CASC2. We also highlight the function of circRNAs, such as circHIPK3 and circ_0000284, in regulation of drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, we describe a number of compounds, including curcumin, genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, and salinomycin, which may modulate the expression of lncRNAs and enhance chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancers. Therefore, targeting specific lncRNAs and cicrRNAs could contribute to reverse chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells. We hope this review might stimulate the studies of lncRNAs and cicrRNAs, and develop the new therapeutic strategy via modulating these noncoding RNAs to promote chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Pancreatic Cancer: Biologic Functions, Mechanisms, and Clinical Significance

Despite tremendous efforts devoted to research in pancreatic cancer (PC), the mechanism underlying the tumorigenesis and progression of PC is still not completely clear. Additionally, ideal biomarkers and satisfactory therapeutic strategies for clinical application in PC are still lacking. Accumulating evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) might participate in the pathogenesis of diverse cancers, including PC. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs in PC is considered a vital factor during tumorigenesis that affects tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. With this review of relevant articles published in recent years, we aimed to summarize the biogenesis mechanism, classifications, and modes of action of lncRNAs and to review the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in PC. Additionally, the clinical significance of lncRNAs in PC was discussed. Finally, we pointed out the questions remaining from recent studies and anticipated that further investigations would address these gaps in knowledge in this field.

ALKBH5-mediated m6A demethylation of KCNK15-AS1 inhibits pancreatic cancer progression via regulating KCNK15 and PTEN/AKT signaling

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regarded as crucial regulators in tumor progression. Potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 15 and WISP2 antisense RNA 1 (KCNK15-AS1) has been confirmed to inhibit the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. However, its downstream mechanism and effect on other cellular functions in PC remain unknown. This study probed the function and potential mechanism of KCNK15-AS1 in PC cell growth. RT-qPCR and western blot were employed to measure gene expression in PC cells. ISH was applied to analyze KCNK15-AS1 expression in PC tissues. Functional assays were utilized to evaluate PC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and EMT. Mechanical experiments were adopted to detect gene interaction in PC cells. The obtained data indicated that KCNK15-AS1 was down-regulated in PC cells and tissues. Overexpressing KCNK15-AS1 hindered cell proliferation, migration and EMT while facilitated cell apoptosis in PC. Mechanically, alkylation repair homolog protein 5 (ALKBH5) was verified to induce m6A demethylation of KCNK15-AS1 to mediate KCNK15-AS1 up-regulation. KCNK15-AS1 combined with KCNK15 5'UTR to inhibit KCNK15 translation. Moreover, KCNK15-AS1 recruited MDM2 proto-oncogene (MDM2) to promote RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) ubiquitination, thus transcriptionally upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) to inactivate AKT pathway. In conclusion, our study first confirmed that KCNK15-AS1 hinders PC cell growth by regulating KCNK15 and PTEN, suggesting KCNK15-AS1 as a potential biomarker of PC.

Modulation of Long Non-Coding RNAs by Different Classes of Secondary Metabolites from Plants: A Mini-Review on Antitumor Effects

The broad pharmacological spectrum of plants is related to their secondary metabolism, which is responsible for the synthesis of different compounds that have multiple effects on cellular physiology. Among the biological effects presented by phytochemicals, their use for the prevention and treatment of cancer can be highlighted. This occurs due to several mechanisms of antitumor action demonstrated by these compounds, including regulation of the cell signaling pathways and inhibition of tumor growth. In this way, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) appear to be promising targets for the treatment of cancer. Their deregulation has already been related to a variety of clinical-pathological parameters. However, the effects of secondary metabolites on lncRNAs are still restricted. For this reason, the present review aimed to gather data on phytochemicals with action on lncRNAs in order to confirm their possible antitumor potential. According to the literature, terpenoid and flavonoid are the main examples of secondary metabolites involved with lncRNAs activity. In addition, the lncRNAs H19, CASC2, HOTAIR, NKILA, CCAT1, MALAT1, AFAP1-AS1, MEG3, and CDKN2B-AS1 can be highlighted as important targets in the search for new anti-tumor agents since they act as modulating pathways related to cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration and invasion. Finally, challenges for the use of natural products as a commercial drug were also discussed. The low yield, selectivity index and undesirable pharmacokinetic parameters were emphasized as a difficulty for obtaining these compounds on a large scale and for improving the potency of its biological effect. However, the synthesis and/or development of formulations were suggested as a possible approach to solve these problems. All of these data together confirm the potential of secondary metabolites as a source of new anti-tumor agents acting on lncRNAs.

The impact of LncRNA dysregulation on clinicopathology and survival of pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA compliant)

Purpose

An increasing number of studies have reported a significant association between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation and pancreatic cancers. In the present study, we aimed to gather articles to evaluate the prognostic value of long non coding RNA in pancreatic cancer.

Experimental design

We systematically searched all eligible articles from databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to meta-analysis of published articles and screen association of multiple lncRNAs expression with clinicopathology and/or survival of pancreatic cancer. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to analysis of overall survival, disease-free survival and progression-free survival were measured with a fixed or random effects model.

Results

A total of 39 articles were included in the present meta-analysis. Our results showed that dysregulation of lncRNAs were linked to overall survival (39 studies, 4736 patients HR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.25 ± 0.58, random-effects in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, altered lncRNAs were also contributed to progression-free survival (8 studies, 1180 patients HR: 1.88, 95% CI (1.35–2.62) and disease-free survival (2 studies, 285 patients, HR: 6.07, 95% CI 1.28–28.78). In addition, our findings revealed the association between dysregulated RNAs and clinicopathological features in this type of cancer.

Conclusions

In conclusion, dysregulated lncRNAs could be served as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Elevated HNF1A expression promotes radiation-resistance via driving PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells

Purpose: Radiotherapy is a major modality for treatment of local advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-alpha (HNF1A) is involved in regulation of tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle distribution, invasion metastasis and chemical resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HNF1A on radiosensitivity of ESCC cells. Methods: In our study, HNF1A expression was verified from GEPIA in multiple types of cancer. The prognostic value of HNF1A in ESCC was obtained by TCGA database. In addition, the expression of HNF1A in ESCC cell lines was verified by western blot. Subsequently, lentiviruses were used to construct HNF1A overexpressed cell lines TE1 and KYSE150.Then, the roles of HNF1A on cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and radiosensitivity were verified. Furthermore, the relationship between HNF1A and γH2AX were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence. We also detected the expression changes of key factors in PI3K/AKT pathway after overexpression of HNF1A. Results: The results showed that the overexpression of HNF1A promoted cell proliferation and invasion with or without irradiation (IR), and potently radiation-resistance ESCC cells with a sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) of 0.76 and 0.87. In addition, HNF1A regulated Cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins to promote the transition from radiation-induced G0/G1 phase arrest to S phase, and coordinated BAX and BCL2 proteins to reduce the occurrence of radiation-induced apoptosis. It was worth noting that HNF1A might be involved in radiation-induced DNA damage repair by regulating γH2AX though PI3K/AKT signal pathway. Conclusion: Our study preliminarily suggested that HNF1A was associated with the progression and radiosensitivity of ESCC cells, and it might reduce the radiosensitivity of ESCC cells by promoting cell proliferation, releasing G0/G1 phase arrest, reducing apoptosis, and regulating the expression of γH2AX protein though driving PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Long noncoding RNAs: role and contribution in pancreatic cancer

Noncoding RNAs are proclaimed to be expressed in various cancer types and one such type is found to be pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) affect the migration, invasion, and growth of tumor cells by playing important roles in the process of epigenesis, post-transcription, and transcriptional regulation along with the maintenance of apoptosis and cell cycle. It is quite subtle whether the alterations in lncRNAs would impact PDAC progression and development. This review throws a spotlight on the lncRNAs associated with tumor functions: MALAT-1, HOTAIR, HOXA13, H19, LINC01559, LINC00460, SNHG14, SNHG16, DLX6-AS1, MSC-AS1, ABHD11-AS1, DUXAP8, DANCR, XIST, DLEU2, etc. are upregulated lncRNAs whereas GAS5, HMlincRNA717, MIAT, LINC01111, lncRNA KCNK15-AS1, etc. are downregulated lncRNAs inhibiting the invasion and progression of PDAC. These data provided helps in the assessment of lncRNAs in the development, metastasis, and occurrence of PDAC and also play a vital role in the evolution of biomarkers and therapeutic agents for the treatment of PDAC.

Integrated bioinformatic analysis of HNF1A in human cancers

OBJECTIVES

Cancer is a threat to human health, and many molecules are involved in the transformation of malignant cells. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) is an important transcription factor that regulates multiple biological processes. Our research focused on elucidating the expression and function of HNF1A in cancer through bioinformatic analysis.

METHODS

UALCAN, Kaplan-Meier plotter, COSMIC, Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource, and Cancer Regulome were used to obtain relevant data for HNF1A.

RESULTS

HNF1A was abnormally expressed in multiple cancers, and its expression was associated with differences in overall survival in patients with cancer. HNF1A mutations widely exist in tumors and interact with different genes involved in various processes. Additionally, we found that HNF1A was associated with the infiltration of immune cells, and it affected the prognostic value of these cells in some cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

HNF1A plays a crucial role in cancer, and it may represent a biomarker and target for future cancer immunotherapy.

FAM3C: an emerging biomarker and potential therapeutic target for cancer

FAM3C is a member of the FAM3 family. Recently, overexpression of FAM3C has been reported in numerous types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer. Increasing evidence suggests that elevated FAM3C and its altered subcellular localization are closely associated with tumor formation, invasion, metastasis and poor survival. Moreover, FAM3C has been found to be the regulator of various proteins that associate with cancer, including Ras, STAT3, TGF-β and LIFR. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding FAM3C, including its structure, expression patterns, regulation, physiological roles and regulatory functions in various malignancies. These findings highlight the importance of FAM3C in cancer development and provide evidence that FAM3C is a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for various cancers.

Prognostic value of Glypican family genes in early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy and possible mechanisms

Background

This study explored the prognostic significance of Glypican (GPC) family genes in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

Methods

A total of 112 PDAC patients from TCGA and 48 patients from GEO were included in the analysis. The relationship between overall survival and the expression of GPC family genes as well as basic clinical characteristics was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Joint effects survival analysis was performed to further examine the relationship between GPC genes and prognosis. A prognosis nomogram was established based on clinical characteristics and prognosis-related genes. Prognosis-related genes were investigated by genome-wide co-expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was carried out to identify potential mechanisms of these genes affecting prognosis.

Results

In TCGA database, high expression of GPC2, GPC3, and GPC5 was significantly associated with favorable survival (log-rank P = 0.031, 0.021, and 0.028, respectively; adjusted P value = 0.005, 0.022, and 0.020, respectively), and joint effects analysis of these genes was effective for prognosis prediction. The prognosis nomogram was applied to predict the survival probability using the total scores calculated. Genome-wide co-expression and GSEA analysis suggested that the GPC2 may affect prognosis through sequence-specific DNA binding, protein transport, cell differentiation and oncogenic signatures (KRAS, RAF, STK33, and VEGFA). GPC3 may be related to cell adhesion, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, signaling pathways like Ras, Rap1, PI3K-Akt, chemokine, GPCR, and signatures like cyclin D1, p53, PTEN. GPC5 may be involved in transcription factor complex, TFRC1, oncogenic signatures (HOXA9 and BMI1), gene methylation, phospholipid metabolic process, glycerophospholipid metabolism, cell cycle, and EGFR pathway.

Conclusion

GPC2, GPC3, and GPC5 expression may serve as prognostic indicators in PDAC, and combination of these genes showed a higher efficiency for prognosis prediction.

Long Noncoding RNA PMS2L2 Downregulates miR-24 through Methylation to Suppress Cell Apoptosis in Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon. It has been reported that PMS2L2 plays protective roles in inflammatory injury. This study aimed to investigate the role of the long noncoding RNA PMS2L2 in UC.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients with UC as well as 62 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Expressions of PMS2L2 and miR-24 in plasma from UC patients and healthy controls were determined by RT-qPCR. The interaction between PMS2L2 and miR-24 was predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down. The role of PMS2L2 in the regulation of miR-24 gene methylation was analyzed by methylation-specific PCR. The effects of PMS2L2 and miR-24 on the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blots.

RESULTS

PMS2L2 was downregulated in the plasma of UC patients compared to that in age- and gender-matched healthy control. In human colonic epithelial cells (HCnEpCs), PMS2L2 overexpression inhibited miR-24 expression via promoting the methylation of miR-24 gene. In contrast, miR-24 overexpression failed to affect PMS2L2. In the detection of cell apoptosis, PMS2L2 overexpression could promote the expression of Bcl-2 and inhibit Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-9 expressions stimulated by LPS. Flow cytometer revealed that PMS2L2 elevation suppressed the apoptosis of HCnEpCs induced by LPS, but miR-24 aggravated the apoptosis. PMS2L2 overexpression rescued the detrimental effect of miR-24 on cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

PMS2L2 may downregulate miR-24 via methylation to suppress cell apoptosis in UC.

Long non-coding RNA CASC2 enhances irradiation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in NSCLC cells through PERK signaling

Radiotherapy is instrumental in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Studies have revealed that radiotherapy induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which consequently induces apoptosis and sensitization of cancer cells. A recent study has revealed that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CASC2 is negatively correlated with the malignancy of NSCLC cells. The present study investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of CASC2 on radiosensitivity and ER stress in NSCLC cells. The overexpression of CASC2 markedly decreased cell survival and increased apoptosis, expression of PERK, phosphorylated-eIF2α and CHOP in irradiated human NSCLC cells, whereas knocking down PERK reversed these effects. Moreover, CASC2 considerably promoted the stability of PERK mRNA, but had no effect on the activity of PERK gene promoter in irradiated NSCLC cells. Strikingly, CASC2 exhibited no apparent effect on non-irradiated NSCLC cells. This study demonstrated that lncRNA CASC2 increases the stability of PERK mRNA, which consequently triggers the PERK/eIF2α/CHOP ER stress pathway and promotes radiosensitivity or apoptosis in irradiated NSCLC cells. Results of the present study suggest that CASC2 can act as an effective therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC.

HNF1A-Induced lncRNA HCG18 Facilitates Gastric Cancer Progression by Upregulating DNAJB12 via miR-152-3p

Background

The aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of multiple cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of lncRNA HCG18 in GC remain unknown.

Materials and Methods

The expression levels of HCG18, HNF1A, microRNA-152-3p (miR-152-3p), and DNAJB12 were determined by RT-qPCR. Cell viability, migration, and invasion were assessed by CCK-8, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The interaction between miR-152-3p and HCG18 or DNAJB12 was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The correlation between the gene expression levels was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Western blot was used to measure the levels of HNF1A, DNAJB12, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins (E-cadherin and Vimentin), and proliferation-related protein (PCNA).

Results

It was found that HCG18 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of HCG18 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Patients with high HCG18 expression had a shorter overall survival time compared with those with low HCG18 expression. In addition, transcription factor HNF1A could bind to the HCG18 promoter to facilitate its transcription. The upregulation of HCG18 could abolish the inhibitory effect of miR-152-3p overexpression on GC cell progression. Furthermore, DNAJB12 was demonstrated to be a target gene of miR-152-3p in GC cells, and HCG18 enhanced DNAJB12 expression by competitively binding with miR-152-3p. Finally, rescue assays proved that overexpression of DNAJB12 partially restored HCG18 knockdown-attenuated progression of GC cells.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that HNF1A-induced HCG18 overexpression promoted GC progression by competitively binding with miR-152-3p and upregulating DNAJB12 expression. These findings might provide potential treatment strategies for patients with GC.

Epigenetic silencing of AATK in acinar to ductal metaplasia in murine model of pancreatic cancer

Background

Cancer subtype switching, which involves unclear cancer cell origin, cell fate decision, and transdifferentiation of cells within a confined tumor microenvironment, remains a major problem in pancreatic cancer (PDA).

Results

By analyzing PDA subtypes in The Cancer Genome Atlas, we identified that epigenetic silencing of apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase (AATK) inversely was correlated with mRNA expression and was enriched in the quasi-mesenchymal cancer subtype. By comparing early mouse pancreatic lesions, the non-invasive regions showed AATK co-expression in cells with acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, nuclear VAV1 localization, and cell cycle suppression; but the invasive lesions conversely revealed diminished AATK expression in those with poorly differentiated histology, cytosolic VAV1 localization, and co-expression of p63 and HNF1α. Transiently activated AATK initiates acinar differentiation into a ductal cell fate to establish apical-basal polarization in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. Silenced AATK and ectopically expressed p63 and HNF1α allow the proliferation of ductal PanINs in mice.

Conclusion

Epigenetic silencing of AATK regulates the cellular transdifferentiation, proliferation, and cell cycle progression in converting PDA-subtypes.

Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses the growth of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells by upregulating lncRNA-CASC2 and activating PTEN signaling

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies with high mortality. Gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy is the most important treatment. However, the development of GEM resistance leads to chemotherapy failure. Previous studies demonstrated the anticancer activity of ginsenoside Rg3 in a variety of carcinomas through modulating multiple signaling pathways. In the present study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry apoptosis assay, Western blotting assay, xenograft experiment, and immunohistochemistry assay were performed in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines. Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibited the viability of GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner through induction of apoptosis. The level of long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) and PTEN expression was upregulated by the ginsenoside Rg3 treatment, and CASC2/PTEN signaling was involved in the ginsenoside Rg3-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 could be an effective anticancer agent for chemoresistant pancreatic cancer.

The role of long non-coding RNA CASC2 in the carcinogenesis process

The lncRNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) has been initially discovered in a genomic area on 10q26 that is commonly lost in human endometrial cancer. Subsequent assessments revealed its down-regulation in almost all kinds of cancer including glioma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Yet, it has been shown to be up-regulated in astrocytoma and in paclitaxel (PTX) resistant breast cancer tissues. In vitro studies have shown the role of this lncRNA in suppression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. Animal studies have shown that over-expression of CASC2 suppresses tumorigenesis of human cancer cells in xenograft models. Diagnostic power of CASC2 levels has been evaluated in a number of human cancers and the best parameters have been demonstrated in pituitary adenomas and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Taken together, the main body of evidence show a tumor suppressor role of CASC2 and indicate up-regulation of this lncRNA as a putative therapeutic modality for human cancers. In this review, we summarize the data regarding expression pattern, function and diagnostic role of CASC2 in human cancer based on the results of cell line studies, animal investigations and human studies.

LncRNA BANCR Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Tumorigenesis via Modulating MiR-195-5p/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Long noncoding BRAF-activated noncoding RNA has been reported to be tightly associated with tumorigenesis and development in various types of cancers. However, the expression, biological function, and modulatory mechanism of BRAF-activated noncoding RNA in pancreatic cancer remained unclear. In the present work, we explored the carcinogenic activity and underlying mechanism of BRAF-activated noncoding RNA on pancreatic cancer in vitro. We identified that BRAF-activated noncoding RNA was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines, and BRAF-activated noncoding RNA was related to tumor metastasis and stage. BRAF-activated noncoding RNA reinforces proliferation, invasion, and migration in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. Moreover, miR-195-5p was downregulated in both PC tissues and cell lines. Our results based on luciferase reporter, RIP-Ago2 and qRT-PCR assays, showed that miR-195-5p was a direct target of BRAF-activated noncoding RNA. Furthermore, miR-195-5p inhibitor abrogated the effects of short-interfering BRAF-activated noncoding RNA on PANC-1 and SW1990 cell growth and invasion in vitro. We further identified that BRAF-activated noncoding RNA played a vital role in activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by sponging miR-195-5p. Collectively, our study showed that BRAF-activated noncoding RNA promotes pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis through miR-195-5p/Wnt/β-catenin axis may serve as a potential target for diagnostics and therapeutics in pancreatic cancer.

Long non‑coding RNA CASC2 ameliorates sepsis‑induced acute kidney injury by regulating the miR‑155 and NF‑κB pathway

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome that can cause multiple‑organ damage, including acute kidney injury (AKI). Studies have shown that the long non‑coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) is involved in the occurrence and development of multiple human diseases, although its expression and role in AKI has not yet been reported. The present study demonstrated that the expression of CASC2 was significantly decreased in the serum of patients with sepsis compared with healthy subjects. In addition, the CASC2 level was negatively associated with the severity of AKI. Further experiments revealed that CASC2 promoted cell viability and inhibited inflammatory factor secretion, apoptosis and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide‑stimulated human renal tubular epithelial HK‑2 cells. Importantly, the current study observed that CASC2 was negatively associated with a pro‑inflammatory microRNA (miR)‑155. In addition, the upregulation of CASC2 significantly suppressed the nuclear factor κB (NF‑κB) signaling pathway. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that CASC2 may serve as a potential target for treating sepsis‑induced AKI by inhibiting the miR‑155 and NF‑κB pathway‑mediated inflammation.

SSEA3 and Sialyl Lewis a Glycan Expression Is Controlled by B3GALT5 LTR through Lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 Signaling in Human ES Cells

B3GALT5 is involved in the synthesis of embryonic stem (ES) cell marker glycan, stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA3). This gene has three native promoters and an integrated retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. We found that B3GALT5-LTR is expressed at high levels in human ES cells. B3GALT5-LTR is also involved in the synthesis of the cancer-associated glycan, sialyl Lewis a. Sialyl Lewis a is expressed in ES cells and its expression decreases upon differentiation. Retinoic acid induced differentiation of ES cells, decreased the short form of NFYA (NFYAs), increased phosphorylation of STAT3, and decreased B3GALT5-LTR expression. NFYAs activated, and constitutively-active STAT3 (STAT3C) repressed B3GALT5-LTR promoter. The NFYAs and STAT3C effects were eliminated when their binding sites were deleted. Retinoic acid decreased the binding of NFYA to B3GALT5-LTR promoter and increased phospho-STAT3 binding. Lamin A repressed NFYAs and SSEA3 expression. SSEA3 repression mediated by a SIRT1 inhibitor was reversed by a STAT3 inhibitor. Repression of SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis mediated by retinoic acid was partially reversed by lamin A short interfering RNA (siRNA) and a STAT3 inhibitor. In conclusion, B3GALT5-LTR is regulated by lamin A-NFYA and SIRT1-STAT3 signaling that regulates SSEA3 and sialyl Lewis a synthesis in ES cells, and sialyl Lewis a is also a ES cell marker.

Long non‑coding RNA CASC2 suppresses pancreatic cancer cell growth and progression by regulating the miR‑24/MUC6 axis

Recent evidence indicates that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) is involved in tumorigenesis of several types of cancer through targeting microRNAs (miRs); however, the molecular mechanism of CASC2 in pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In the present study, the expression levels of CASC2, miR-24 and mucin 6 (MUC6) were measured in pancreatic cancer specimens and cell lines by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels of MUC6, Integrin β4 (ITGB4), phosphorylated (p)-focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and several epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in pancreatic cancer cells. MTT, colony formation, wound healing, Transwell and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, respectively,in vitro. Morphological changes of pancreatic cancer cells were assessed by light microscopy. The interactions between CASC2, miR-24 and MUC6 were assessed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. A tumor xenograft model was generated to investigate tumor growth in vivo. CASC2 and MUC6 were downregulated, and miR-24 was upregulated in pancreatic cancer specimens and cell lines. Functionally, CASC2 overexpression or miR-24 knockdown suppressed pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, they altered cell-cell adhesion as demonstrated by the attenuated ITGB4, p-FAK and N-cadherin protein levels, as well as morphological changes. Mechanistically, CASC2 sponged miR-24 and activated its downstream target MUC6 to suppress pancreatic cancer growth and progression. CASC2 exerted tumor-suppressive functions in pancreatic cancer through the miR-24/MUC6 axis, which may be a promising target for pancreatic cancer therapy.

Overexpression of CASC2 Improves Cisplatin Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Sponging miR-222

The long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) has been shown to play a crucial role in cancer cell chemoresistance. However, its function and underlying molecular mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemoresistance remain unknown. In this study, we used cisplatin (DDP)-resistant HCC cells to investigate CASC2 function and its underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that CASC2 expression was significantly reduced in HCC tissues and cells, especially in DDP-resistant HCC tissues and cells. Lower CASC2 expression was strongly correlated with shorter survival times in patients with HCC. Functionally, CASC2 overexpression sensitized DDP-resistant Huh7/DDP and SMMC-7721/DDP cells to DDP. Mechanically, CASC2 improved the sensitivity of HCC cells to DDP through sponging miR-222. Taken together, these findings suggested that overexpression of CASC2 overcame DDP resistance in HCC by regulating miR-222 expression, thereby providing a potential therapeutic strategy for overcoming HCC cell chemoresistance.

Hepatic Nuclear Factor 1 Alpha (HNF-1α) In Human Physiology and Molecular Medicine

The transcription factors (TFs) play a crucial role in the modulation of specific gene transcription networks. One of the hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNFs) family's member, hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α (HNF-1α) has continuously become a principal TF to control the expression of genes. It is involved in the regulation of a variety of functions in various human organs including liver, pancreas, intestine, and kidney. It regulates the expression of enzymes involved in endocrine and xenobiotic activity through various metabolite transporters located in the above organs. Its expression is also required for organ-specific cell fate determination. Despite two decades of its first identification in hepatocytes, a review of its significance was not comprehended. Here, the role of HNF-1α in the above organs at the molecular level to intimate molecular mechanisms for regulating certain gene expression whose malfunctions are attributed to the disease conditions has been specifically encouraged. Moreover, the epigenetic effects of HNF-1α have been discussed here, which could help in advanced technologies for molecular pharmacological intervention and potential clinical implications for targeted therapies. HNF-1α plays an indispensable role in several physiological mechanisms in the liver, pancreas, intestine, and kidney. Loss of its operations leads to the non-functional or abnormal functional state of each organ. Specific molecular agents or epigenetic modifying drugs that reactivate HNF-1α are the current requirements for the medications of the diseases.

Long non‑coding RNA CASC2 enhances berberine‑induced cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells by silencing BCL2

Berberine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Berberis species, has been reported to have anticancer effects. However, the mechanisms of action in human colorectal cancer (CRC) are not well established to date. In the present study, the cell cytotoxicity effect of berberine on human CRC cells, as well as the possible mechanisms involved, was investigated. The results of the cell viability and apoptosis assay revealed that treatment of CRC cells with berberine resulted in inhibition of cell viability and activation of cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. To reveal the underlying mechanism of berberine-induced anti-tumor activity and cell apoptosis, RNA-sequencing followed by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR were performed. In addition, RNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis were used to identify the functional regulation of CASC2/EZH2/BCL2 axis in berberine-induced CRC cell apoptosis. The data revealed that lncRNA CASC2 was upregulated by berberine treatment. Gain- or loss-of-function assays suggested that lncRNA CASC2 was required for the berberine-induced inhibition of cell viability and activation of cell apoptosis. Subsequently, the downstream antiapoptotic gene BCL2 was identified as a functional target of the berberine/CASC2 mechanism, as BCL2 reversed the berberine/CASC2-induced cell cytotoxicity. lncRNA CASC2 silenced BCL2 expression by binding to the promoter region of BCL2 in an EZH2-dependent manner. In summary, berberine may be a novel therapeutic agent for CRC and lncRNA CASC2 may serve as an important therapeutic target to improve the anticancer effect of berberine.

HNF1A inhibition induces the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine by targeting ABCB1

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis, and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy remains an effective option for the majority of PDAC patients. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α (HNF1A) is a tumor-suppressor in PDAC, but its role in gemcitabine chemoresistance of PDAC has not been clarified.

METHODS

The function of HNF1A in gemcitabine was detected by overexpression and knockdown of HNF1A in vitro and in vitro. The regulatory network between HNF1A and ABCB1 was further demonstrated by luciferase assays, deletion/mutation reporter construct assays and CHIP assays.

FINDINGS

Here, we found that HNF1A expression is significantly associated with gemcitabine sensitivity in PDAC cell lines. Moreover, we identified that HNF1A overexpression enhanced gemcitabine sensitivity of PDAC both in vitro and in vitro, while inhibition of HNF1A had the opposite effect. Furthermore, by inhibiting and overexpressing HNF1A, we revealed that HNF1A regulates the expression of MDR genes (ABCB1 and ABCC1) in PDAC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that HNF1A regulates ABCB1 expression through binding to its specific promoter region and suppressing its transcription levels. Finally, the survival analyses revealed the clinical value of HNF1A in stratification of gemcitabine sensitive pancreatic cancer patients.

INTERPRETATION

Our study paved the road for finding novel treatment combinations using conventional cytotoxic agents with functional restoration of the HNF1A protein, individualized treatment through HNF1A staining and improvement of the prognosis of PDAC patients. FUND: National Natural Science Foundations of China and National Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province.

Long Non-coding RNA CASC2 Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Cisplatin Through Suppressing the Akt Pathway by Inhibition of miR-181a in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Background: Long non-coding RNA CASC2 (lncRNA CASC2) has been found to be down-regulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the effect of CASC2 on cisplatin-treated ESCC was unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of CASC2 in cisplatin-treated ESCC cells. Methods: The expression levels of CASC2 and miR-181a were detected by qRT-PCR. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity effect was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. The protein levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and p-Akt were detected by western blotting. Results: The results showed that CASC2 was low-expressed in ESCC cell lines. Overexpression of CASC2 enhanced the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on cell viability and promoted cisplatin-induced LDH release and apoptosis. We also found that miR-181a expression levels were increased in ESCC cell lines. MiR-181a inhibitor enhanced the antitumor activity of cisplatin, which was similar with the effect of CASC2. CASC2 directly interacted with miR-181a and inhibited the miR-181a expression. MiR-181a reversed the effects of CASC2 on antitumor activity of cisplatin. In addition, we also found that CASC2 suppressed the Akt pathway by inhibiting miR-181a. Conclusions: CASC2 promoted the antitumor activity of cisplatin through inhibiting Akt pathway via negatively regulating miR-181a in ESCC cells. The results provide a new insight for ESCC therapy.

Long non-coding RNA CASC2 upregulates PTEN to suppress pancreatic carcinoma cell metastasis by downregulating miR-21

Background

The mechanism of pancreatic cancer metastasis remains poorly understood. Recently, lncRNA CASC2 has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor in various types of cancer. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of CASC2 in the regulation of pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Methods

The expression levels of CASC2 and miR-21 in pancreatic cells were detected by qRT-PCR. Using specific expression vectors, including mimics or shRNA, the expression levels of CASC2, miR-21 and PTEN in pancreatic cells were altered. The association between CASC2, miR-21 and PTEN was detected. Then, cell migration and invasion were assessed using the transwell assay.

Results

CASC2 expression was downregulated in the pancreatic cancer cell lines CAPAN-1, BxPC-3, JF305, PANC-1 and SW1990 compared with levels in normal human pancreatic HPDE6-C7 cells. CACS2 overexpression inhibited the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells and significantly inhibited the expression of miR-21 and PTEN. MiR-21 was a direct target of CACS2. The overexpression of miR-21 significantly abolished the antimetastatic effects of CASC2 on PANC-1 cells. Moreover, the downregulation of PTEN significantly abolished the antimetastatic effects of CASC2.

Conclusion

CASC2 functions as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer cells to inhibit tumor cell migration and invasion. Our work revealed a novel regulatory mechanism of the CASC2/miR-21/PTEN axis that may be important in pancreatic cancer.

The role of lineage specifiers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Over the last decade, multiple genomics studies have led to the identification of discrete molecular subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. A general theme has emerged that most pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) can be grouped into two major subtypes based on cancer cell autonomous properties: classical/pancreatic progenitor and basal-like/squamous. The classical/progenitor subtype expresses higher levels of lineage specifiers that regulate endodermal differentiation than the basal-like/squamous subtype. The basal-like/squamous subtype confers a worse prognosis, raising the possibility that loss of these lineage specifiers might enhance the malignant potential of PDAC. Here, we discuss several of these differentially expressed lineage specifiers and examine the evidence that they might play a functional role in PDAC biology.

Overexpression of cancer susceptibility candidate 2 inhibited progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

Our study was aimed to investigate the effect of cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) on the proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

METHODS

CASC2 expression in tumor tissues and HCC cells was tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. After manipulating the expression of CASC2 in Hep3B and HepG2 cells, cells viability, including proliferation, apoptosis, cell-cycle distribution, migration, and invasion were examined by colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound-healing assay, and transwell assay, respectively. The expression levels of proteins associated with the cell cycle and AKT/mTOR pathway were measured by the western blot. Stably transfected HepG2 cells were used to construct nude mice models, and tumorigenesis was evaluated to investigate the in vivo functions of CASC2 in HCC progression.

RESULTS

In tissues and cells of HCC, decreased CASC2 expressions were confirmed. Overexpression of CASC2 made cell cycle stagnated at G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, the overexpression of CASC2 played significant roles in inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, In vivo experiment indicated that CASC2 restrained the growth of tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that CASC2 promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed cell growth and metastasis in HCC, indicating that CASC2 might be a useful biomarker of HCC.

The role of lncRNA CASC2 on prognosis of malignant tumors: a meta-analysis and bioinformatics

Background

Cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) is characterized as a tumor suppressor, which was first identified to be downregulated in endometrial carcinoma. Accumulating evidence was provided to testify the function of CASC2 in malignant tumors. However, a systematic and quantitative assessment is not available. The present study was designed to evaluate the role of CASC2 in multiple carcinomas through meta-analysis and bioinformatics.

Materials and methods

A systematic assessment of the relationship of CASC2 with tumors was performed by using several computerized databases from inception to December 1, 2017. Pooled HR with 95% CI was calculated to summarize the effect. The data on prognosis of malignant tumors were also downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, OncoLnc, TANRIC and lncRNAtor database.

Results

A total of 13 studies with 966 cancer patients were pooled in the analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of CASC2 in multiple tumors and the clinical features. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that low expression levels of CASC2 were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (pooled HR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.28–0.53, P<0.0001). CASC2 obviously has a negative correlation with advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis (LNM) and T stage, respectively (P<0.05). There was, however, no significant difference in gender, distant metastasis and high differentiation (P>0.05). In the Kaplan–Meier curves with log-rank analysis, higher expression of CASC2 was positively correlated with longer survival time than patients with a lower level (P<0.05), including kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, brain lower grade glioma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma and sarcoma.

Conclusion

Findings from this meta-analysis suggest that lower expression of CASC2 is associated with poorer prognosis of cancers, as well as advanced TNM, LNM and T stage. Data from the bioinformatics analysis revealed that higher expression of CASC2 was related to longer OS in patients with malignant tumors.

Prognostic value and clinical significance of long noncoding RNA CASC2 in human malignancies: a meta-analysis

Purpose

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic value of long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) in human tumors.

Materials and methods

We searched the available databases up to December 2017. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to examine the prognostic impact of CASC2 on overall survival (OS) in patients diagnosed with malignancies.

Results

A total of eight studies with 663 cancer patients were enrolled. Our results showed that high CASC2 expression level was associated with a favorable OS (HR=0.437, 95% CI: 0.345-0.554). The significant results were not altered by stratified analysis according to cancer type, sample size, follow-up months, and HR estimation method. A significant association of glioma tumor stage with CASC2 expression was detected (III-IV vs I-II: odds ratio=2.126, 95% CI: 1.032-4.378). CASC2 could be used as an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=0.450, 95% CI: 0.336-0.602). Sensitivity analysis showed that no single study changed the pooled results significantly. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test showed that no publication bias was detected.

Conclusion

High expression level of CASC2 is associated with favorable survival outcome for cancer patients, and CASC2 could be used as a prognostic predictor for cancers.

CASC2/miR-24/miR-221 modulates the TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cell through caspase-8/caspase-3

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common solid tumors in the digestive system. The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is still poor due to the acquisition of multi-drug resistance. TNF Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), an attractive anticancer agent, exerts its effect of selectively inducing apoptosis in tumor cells through death receptors and the formation of the downstream death-inducing signaling complex, which activates apical caspases 3/8 and leads to apoptosis. However, hepatocellular carcinoma cells are resistant to TRAIL. Non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs have been regarded as major regulators of normal development and diseases, including cancers. Moreover, lncRNAs and miRNAs have been reported to be associated with multi-drug resistance. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism by which TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma is affected from the view of non-coding RNA regulation. We selected and validated candidate miRNAs, miR-24 and miR-221, that regulated caspase 3/8 expression through direct targeting, and thereby affecting TRAIL-induced tumor cell apoptosis TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, we revealed that CASC2, a well-established tumor suppressive long non-coding RNA, could serve as a "Sponge" of miR-24 and miR-221, thus modulating TRAIL-induced tumor cell apoptosis TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Taken together, we demonstrated a CASC2/miR-24/miR-221 axis, which can affect the TRAIL resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating caspase 3/8; through acting as a "Sponge" of miR-24 and miR-221, CASC2 may contribute to improving hepatocellular carcinoma TRAIL resistance, and finally promoting the treatment efficiency of TRAIL-based therapies.