Overexpression of microRNA-612 Restrains the Growth, Invasion, and Tumorigenesis of Melanoma Cells by Targeting Espin

ESPN activates ZEB1-mediated EMT through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis to promote osteosarcoma metastasis

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone malignancy characterized by early metastasis and generally poor prognosis. ESPN is highly expressed and plays an important role in regulating the aggressive phenotypes of several cancer cell types. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying ESPN-mediated migration and invasion in OS cells.

METHODS

In this study, we first analyzed the survival of osteosarcoma patients using Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess the prognostic relevance of ESPN. To further evaluate its clinical significance, we performed immunohistochemical analysis on osteosarcoma tissue samples and benign osteochondroma (OC) tissues. The biological function of ESPN in osteosarcoma was confirmed by a series of experiments conducted both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we explored the underlying molecular mechanisms through Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and PCR, revealing key downstream signaling pathways.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrate that ESPN, acting as an oncogene, is highly expressed in OS cell lines and tissues, promoting OS cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, ESPN promoted the phosphorylation of PI3K by direct interaction with it and active the AKT/mTOR pathway, which enhanced the expression of the transcription factor ZEB1 and initiating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) cascade. Furthermore, we validated that mTOR-mediated activation of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) promotes the translation of ZEB1, thereby enhancing the growth and motility of OS cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized function of ESPN in OS, closely linked with EMT and cancer metastasis progression. Targeting ESPN may represent a potential therapeutic approach for patients with OS.

Identification of a four-miRNA signature predicts the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

In recently diagnosed patients with thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), as the most common histological subtype, accounts for 90% of all cases. Although PTC is known as a relatively adolescent malignant disease, there still is a high possibility of recurrence in PTC patients with a poor prognosis. Therefore, new biomarkers are necessary to guide more effective stratification of PTC patients and personalize therapy to avoid overtreatment or inadequate treatment. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that microRNAs (miRNAs) have broad application prospects as diagnostic biomarkers in cancer.

AIM

To explore novel markers consisting of miRNA-associated signatures for PTC prognostication.

METHODS

We obtained and analyzed the data of 497 PTC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The patients were randomly assigned to either a training or testing cohort.

RESULTS

We discovered 237 differentially expressed miRNAs in tumorous thyroid tissues compared with normal tissues, which contained 172 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated miRNAs. The evaluation of differently expressed miRNAs was conducted using our risk score model. We then successfully generated a four-miRNA potential prognostic signature [risk score = (-0.001 × hsa-miR-181a-2-3p) + (0.003 × hsa-miR-138-5p) + (-0.018 × hsa-miR-424-3p) + (0.284 × hsa-miR-612)], which reliably distinguished patients from high and low risk with a significant difference in the overall survival (P < 0.01) and was effective in predicting the five-year disease survival rate with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.937 and 0.812 in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. Additionally, there was a trend indicated that high-risk patients had shorter relapse-free survival, although statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.082) in our sequencing cohort.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated a four-miRNA signature that has a robust predictive effect on the prognosis of PTC. Accordingly, we would recommend more radical therapy and closer follow-ups for high-risk groups.

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes in endometrial cancer: a comprehensive overview

INTRODUCTION

Recent research on tumorigenesis and progression has opened up an array of novel molecular mechanisms in the form of interactions between cellular non-coding RNAs (long non-coding RNA[lncRNA]/microRNA [miRNA]) and coding transcripts that regulate health and disease. Endometrial cancer (EC) is a prominent gynecological malignancy with a high incidence rate and poorly known etiology and prognostic factors that hinder the success of disease management. The emerging role of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions and their dysregulation in the pathophysiology of EC has been elucidated in many recent studies.

METHODS

A thorough literature review was conducted to explore information about lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axes in EC.

RESULTS

Several lncRNAs act as molecular sponges that sequester various tumor suppressor miRNAs to inhibit their function, leading to the dysregulation of their target mRNA transcripts that contribute to the EC regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes these networks of molecular mechanisms and their contribution to different aspects of endometrial carcinogenesis, leading to a better conceptualization of the molecular pathways that underlie the disease and helping establish novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic intervention points to aid the curative intent of EC.

Micro RNAs Promoting Growth and Metastasis in Preclinical In Vivo Models of Subcutaneous Melanoma

During the last years a considerable therapeutic progress in melanoma patients with the RAF V600E mutation via RAF/MEK pathway inhibition and immuno-therapeutic modalities has been witnessed. However, the majority of patients relapse after therapy. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the pathways driving oncogenicity and metastasis of melanoma is of paramount importance. In this review, we summarize microRNAs modulating tumor growth, metastasis, or both, in preclinical melanoma-related in vivo models and possible clinical impact in melanoma patients as modalities and targets for treatment of melanoma. We have identified miR-199a (ApoE, DNAJ4), miR-7-5p (RelA), miR-98a (IL6), miR-219-5p (BCL2) and miR-365 (NRP1) as possible targets to be scrutinized in further target validation studies.

Actin-Binding Proteins as Potential Biomarkers for Chronic Inflammation-Induced Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Actin-binding proteins (ABPs), by interacting with actin, regulate the polymerization, depolymerization, bundling, and cross-linking of actin filaments, directly or indirectly, thereby mediating the maintenance of cell morphology, cell movement, and many other biological functions. Consequently, these functions of ABPs help regulate cancer cell invasion and metastasis when cancer occurs. In recent years, a variety of ABPs have been found to be abnormally expressed in various cancers, indicating that the detection and interventions of unusual ABP expression to alter this are available for the treatment of cancer. The early stages of most cancer development involve long-term chronic inflammation or repeated stimulation. This is the case for breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. This article discusses the relationship between chronic inflammation and the above-mentioned cancers, emphatically introduces relevant research on the abnormal expression of ABPs in chronic inflammatory diseases, and reviews research on the expression of different ABPs in the above-mentioned cancers. Furthermore, there is a close relationship between ABP-induced inflammation and cancer. In simple terms, abnormal expression of ABPs contributes to the chronic inflammation developing into cancer. Finally, we provide our viewpoint regarding these unusual ABPs serving as potential biomarkers for chronic inflammation-induced cancer diagnosis and therapy, and interventions to reverse the abnormal expression of ABPs represent a potential approach to preventing or treating the corresponding cancers.

MicroRNA Signature in Melanoma: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Melanoma is the utmost fatal kind of skin neoplasms. Molecular changes occurring during the pathogenic processes of initiation and progression of melanoma are diverse and include activating mutations in BRAF and NRAS genes, hyper-activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, inactivation of p53 and alterations in CDK4/CDKN2A axis. Moreover, several miRNAs have been identified to be implicated in the biology of melanoma through modulation of expression of genes being involved in these pathways. In the current review, we provide a summary of the bulk of information about the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of melanoma, their possible application as biomarkers and their emerging role as therapeutic targets for this kind of skin cancer.

LncRNA OSER1-AS1 interacts with miR-612/FOXM1 axis to modulate gefitinib resistance of lung adenocarcinoma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in the acquired resistance to EGFR-directed therapies in lung cancer. LncRNA OSER1-AS1 has been reported to promote tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its functions and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear in the acquired gefitinib-resistance of lung cancer. Our study revealed that increased expression of OSER1-AS1 was correlated with gefitinib resistance in lung adenocarcinoma. Higher OSER1-AS1 expression predicted disease progression of lung adenocarcinoma patients. The in vitro assays indicated OSER1-AS1 contributed to gefitinib resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells via inhibiting cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments showed that the knockdown of OSER1-AS1 restored the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to gefitinib. Further studies showed that OSER1-AS1 functioned as a molecular sponge of miR-612. OSER1-AS1 down-regulated miR-612 to increase FOXM1 expression, suggesting that miR-612/FOXM1 axis was regulated by OSER1-AS1, which was partially responsible for gefitinib resistance of lung adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, OSER1-AS1 promoted gefitinib resistance of lung adenocarcinoma through the miR-612/FOXM1 axis.

Simultaneous microRNA-612 restoration and 5-FU treatment inhibit the growth and migration of human PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells

Despite the recent advances in the treatment of other cancers, the 5-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer remains under 9 %. Chemotherapy and surgical resection are the most common therapy methods. The regulatory role of microRNAs in different types of cancer has given them therapeutic importance. miR-612 has been downregulated in colorectal, bladder, liver, and some other types of cancer and could be considered a tumor-suppressor miRNA. 5-FU is one of the most common chemotherapeutic agents used in pancreatic cancer treatment, which is used in multiple drug regimens and combinatorial therapy methods. The aim of this study is the evaluation of miR-612 restoration in the PANC-1 cell line and using the tumor-suppressive effect of it in combination with 5-FU on cell growth and migration. MiR-612 mimic was transfected to PANC-1 cells through electroporation. Following the transfection, expression levels of miR-612 and BAX, BCL-2, Caspase-3, MMP9, and PD-L1 genes were measured by qRT-PCR. MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of miR-612 and 5-FU on PANC-1 cell viability. To confirm MTT results and to evaluate the quantitative effect of apoptosis induction flow cytometry test was used and in order to confirm apoptosis test results and cell cycle arrest evaluation DAPI staining and cell, cycle tests were conducted, respectively. Finally, to assess the inhibitory effect of miR-612 in combination with 5-FU on migration and growth wound healing and colony formation assays were used, respectively. Results demonstrated that miR-612 alongside 5-FU has an important role in the inhibition of migration and growth and also apoptosis induction in PANC-1 cells and could be considered as a supporting agent of chemotherapy and a novel therapeutic modality in pancreatic cancer treatment.

High Resolution Melting Analysis for Evaluation of mir-612 (Rs12803915) Genetic Variant with Susceptibility to Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy that accounts for nearly 75% of leukemias in children. While the exact mechanism of ALL is not fully understood, some genetic variants have been implicated as associated with ALL susceptibility. The association between some genetic variants in miRNA genes and ALL risk has been described previously. A previous study suggested that mir-612 rs12803915 G> A may be associated with pediatric ALL risk. High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis is a reliable method that can be applied for polymorphism detection.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed on 100 B-ALL patients (52 males and 48 females; age 4.6 ± 3.2 years) and 105 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (48 males and 57 females; age 5.1 ± 3 years). We used HRM to identify mir-612 rs12803915 genotypes. Sanger sequencing was applied to validate the HRM results.

Results

High resolution melting analysis was used to genotype the mir-612 rs12803915 polymorphism. We found no association between rs12803915 allele A and B-ALL risk in any inheritance models (p> 0.05).

Conclusion

HRM is a suitable method to detect SNP rs12803915 in the mir-612 gene; however, we found no significant association between the rs12803915 polymorphism and ALL risk.

MicroRNA-612 inhibits cervical cancer progression by targeting NOB1

Recently, many studies have shown that microRNA (miR)-612 is involved in cancer progression. However, the role of miR-612 in cervical cancer remains unclear. The present study aims to investigate the biological effects of miR-612 on cervical cancer. The expression of miR-612 in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines was analysed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The effect of miR-612 cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis was studied by appropriate methods. Protein expression was determined by Western blot analyses. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays were performed to clarify the relationship between miR-612 and nin one binding protein (NOB1). A xenograft model was established to examine the role of miR-612 in vivo tumorigenesis. Cervical cancer tissues and cell lines showed down-regulation of miR-612 expression, which was associated with the Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) stage and lymph node metastasis. Functional assays revealed that miR-612 overexpression significantly suppressed cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and delayed tumour growth in vivo. Mechanically, miR-612 targeted NOB1 in cervical cancer cells, revealing a negative correlation between miR-612 and NOB1in cervical cancer samples. NOB1 overexpression partially reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-612 overexpression in cervical cancer cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-612 functions as a tumour suppressor in cervical cancer and suggest that miR-612 may be a potential target in the therapeutic intervention of this malignancy.

MicroRNA expression in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with and without cervical spondylomyelopathy

BACKGROUND

Osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (OA-CSM) is a common condition of the cervical vertebral column that affects giant dog breeds. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression, and recent data suggest that circulating miRNAs present in biological fluids may serve as potential biomarkers for disease. The miRNA profiles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from healthy dogs and dogs clinically affected by OA-CSM have not been described.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the expression levels of miRNAs present in the CSF of normal Great Danes and identify differentially expressed miRNAs in the CSF of Great Danes clinically affected with OA-CSM.

ANIMALS

Client-owned dogs: 12 control, 12 OA-CSM affected.

METHODS

Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected prospectively. MicroRNA expression was evaluated using the NanoString nCounter platform and quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

We identified 8 miRNAs with significant differential expression. MiR-299-5p and miR-765 had increased expression levels in the CSF of OA-CSM-affected dogs, whereas miR-494, miR-612, miR-302-d, miR-4531, miR-4455, and miR-6721-5p had decreased expression levels in OA-CSM affected dogs compared to clinically normal dogs. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to validate the expression levels of 2 miRNAs (miR-494 and miR-612), and we found a 1.5-fold increase in miR-494 expression and a 1.2-fold decrease in miR-612 in the CSF of the OA-CSM affected group (P = .41 and .89, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Data generated from our study represent an initial characterization of the miRNA profile of normal canine CSF and suggest that a distinct CSF miRNA expression profile is associated with OA-CSM.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00460 promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell progression by sponging miR-612 to up-regulate AKT2

LncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) have been shown to be potentially critical regulators in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). LncRNA LINC00460 (long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 460), an "oncogene", regulates progression of various tumors. However, the tumorigenic mechanism of LINC00460 on HNSCC is yet to be investigated. In the current study, we discovered that LINC00460 was relatively up-regulated in both HNSCC cancer tissues and cell lines, and predicted a poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. Gain- and loss-of functional studies established that over-expression of LINC00460 promoted cell proliferation, invasion and migration of HNSCC cells in vitro, while the promotion abilities were suppressed via knockdown of LINC00460. Our results identified miR-612 as a novel target of LINC00460, whose expression suggested a negative correlation with LINC00460 in HNSCC tissues and cell lines. LINC00460 increased the expression of serine/threonine kinase AKT2 via sponging miR-612. Rescue experiments indicated that LINC00460 could promote HNSCC progression partially through inhibition of miR-612. Subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model confirmed that interference of LINC00460 suppressed in vivo tumorigenic ability of HNSCC via down-regulation of AKT2. In conclusion, our findings clarified the biologic significance of LINC00460/miR-612/AKT2 axis in HNSCC progression and provided novel evidence that LINC00460 may be a new potential therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Overexpression of microRNA‑21 inhibits the growth and metastasis of melanoma cells by targeting MKK3

Melanoma is an aggressive skin carcinoma with poor prognosis, and is prevalent worldwide. It was demonstrated that microRNA (miR)‑21 and mitogen‑activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) both participated in the occurrence and development of various tumors; however, their detailed roles in the progression of melanoma remain unclear. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) and western blot analyses were conducted to examine the expression levels of miR‑21 and MKK3 in clinical specimens of patients with melanoma and melanoma cell lines. A dual‑luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the target interaction between miR‑21 and MKK3. The mRNA and protein expressions of MKK3 were measured using RT‑qPCR and western blot analysis, respectively, following transfection with miR‑21 mimics and inhibitor. Subsequently, Cell Counting Kit‑8 and colony formation assays, and flow cytometry were conducted to assess the effects of miR‑21 and MKK3 on the cell growth of melanoma. Cell migration and invasion experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of miR‑21 and MKK3 on the cell metastasis of melanoma. It was revealed that MKK3 was upregulated, and miR‑21 was downregulated in patients with melanoma and melanoma cell lines. MKK3 was demonstrated to be a direct target of miR‑21. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that upregulated miR‑21 expression and downregulated MKK3 expression suppressed cell proliferation and colony formation, promoted apoptosis, delayed the cell cycle, and inhibited cell migration and invasion. The present findings suggested that miR‑21 could inhibit the cell growth and metastasis of melanoma by negatively regulating MKK3.

NFKB1-miR-612-FAIM2 pathway regulates tumorigenesis in neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is a carcinoma mainly featured by malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) play decisive roles in tumor initiation and development. Our study sought for the possible roles of miR-612 in NF1. RT-qPCR estimated the expression of nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1), miR-612, and Fas apoptotic inhibitory molecule 2 (FAIM2) in NF1, separately. Cell proliferation and migration were detected by CCK-8 and transwell experiments. Cell apoptosis was measured via flow cytometry and detection of the expression and activity of caspase 3/8/9. Luciferase reporter, ChIP, and RIP assays testified the interplay between studied genes. Rescue and in vivo assays affirmed the whole mechanism of miR-612 in NF1. We indicated that miR-612 was significantly low in tumor tissues and cells. Mechanism experiments confirmed that miR-612 promotion repressed cell proliferation and migration, and induced cell apoptosis. Besides, NFKB1-regulated miR-612 targeted FAIM2. Spearman's correlation analysis validated the correlation between each two genes. Finally, rescue and in vivo assays affirmed that miR-612 targeted FAIM2 to regulate cellular activities of NF1. The current investigation uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying miR-612 in NF1, establishing miR-612 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of NF1 patients.

microRNA-612 suppresses the malignant development of non-small-cell lung cancer by directly targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4

Background: Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been reported. Dysregulation of miRNAs exerts tumor-suppressing or tumor-promoting actions on the pathology and biological behaviors of NSCLC. miR-612 is associated with many types of human cancer; however, the expression, potential roles, and regulatory mechanisms of miR-612 in NSCLC remain unclear.

Material and methods: Here, the expression level of miR-612 in NSCLC tissue specimens and a panel of cell lines were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Cell-Counting Kit 8, flow cytometry, Transwell migration and invasion, and in vivo tumor growth assays were performed to determine the functional role of miR-612 in malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells. The molecular mechanism underlying the tumor-suppressive roles of miR-612 in NSCLC was investigated.

Results: miR-612 was expressed at low levels in NSCLC, and low miR-612 expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. NSCLC patients with low miR-612 expression had shorter overall survival rate than those with high levels. Exogenous miR-612 expression decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis of NSCLC cells in vitro. miR-612 upregulation hindered NSCLC tumor growth in vivo. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) was confirmed as a direct target gene of miR-612 in NSCLC cells. BRD4 was obviously overexpressed in human NSCLC tissues and inverse correlated with miR-612 expression. Inhibition of BRD4 expression simulated the tumor-suppressive functions of miR-612 overexpression in NSCLC cells. Reintroduction of miR-612 expression abrogated the miR-612-mediated suppressive effects on NSCLC cells. BRD4 upregulation inhibited activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion: This study supports the first evidence that miR-612 exerts tumor-suppressive roles in the aggressive behaviors of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo through direct targeting BRD4 and deactivating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Thus, miR-612 might be a promising target for anticancer therapies in patients with NSCLC.

Metformin Treatment Suppresses Melanoma Cell Growth and Motility Through Modulation of microRNA Expression

Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with high mortality in advanced stages. Metformin is an oral biguanide drug used for diabetes and has demonstrated positive effects on cancer prevention and treatment. Herein, we found that metformin significantly suppressed melanoma cancer cell motility and growth through inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and promoting cell apoptosis. Using the next-generation sequencing approach, we identified three upregulated microRNAs (miRNA; miR-192-5p, miR-584-3p, and miR-1246) in melanoma cells treated with metformin. Among these, we examined the roles of miR-192-5p and miR-584-3p and discovered that they significantly suppressed melanoma cell motility. Furthermore, they inhibited melanoma cell growth through destroying cell cycle progression and inducing cell apoptosis. Using microarray and bioinformatics approaches for identifying putative target genes, Epidermal growth factor (EGF) containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) gene for miR-192-5p and an isoform of the secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMP3) gene for miR-584-3p could be silenced through targeting their 3′UTR region directly. EFEMP1 and SCAMP3 knockdown significantly suppressed melanoma cell growth, but only EFEMP1 knockdown inhibited its motility abilities. Our findings indicated that miR-192-5p and miR-584-3p might contribute to metformin-induced growth and motility suppression in melanoma cells through silencing their target genes EFEMP1 and SCAMP3.

An actin-binding protein ESPN is an independent prognosticator and regulates cell growth for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

ESPN (Espin), an actin filament-binding protein, plays an important role in regulating the organization, dimensions, dynamics, and signaling capacities of the actin filament-rich, microvillus-type specializations that mediate sensory transduction in various mechanosensory and chemosensory cells. Recent few studies show that ESPN regulates metastasis and cell proliferation in melanoma. However, the significance of ESPN in other cancers such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains largely unknown.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed in 169 patients with ESCC and correlated with clinicopathological features and survival. The functional role of ESPN in ESCC cells was determined by ESPN-mediated siRNA.

RESULTS

Univariate analyses showed that high ESPN expression was associated with inferior overall survival (P = 0.005) and disease-free survival (P = 0.035). High ESPN expression was an independent prognosticator in multivariate analysis for overall survival (P = 0.009, hazard ratio = 1.688) and disease-free survival (P = 0.049, hazard ratio = 1.451). The 5-year overall survival rates were 30% and 54% in patients with high and low expression of ESPN, respectively. Inhibition of endogenous ESPN in ESCC cells decreased ESCC growth by reducing cell proliferating rates.

CONCLUSIONS

High ESPN expression is independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC and downregulation of ESPN inhibits ESCC cell growth. Our results suggest that ESPN may be a novel therapeutic target for patients with ESCC.