Long non-coding RNA linc00665 inhibits CDKN1C expression by binding to EZH2 and affects cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play significant regulatory roles in cells that affect the development and acquired drug resistance of lung cancer. Herein, we report that lncRNA linc00665 is significantly upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. linc00665 affects the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (DDP), making it a potential target for the treatment of NSCLC. Functional experiments showed that linc00665 enhanced the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro, and knocking down linc00665 could enhance the drug sensitivity of NSCLC cells to DDP. Further work revealed that linc00665 could recruit enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) to the promoter region of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C) to inhibit its transcription and thus carry out its tumorigenic role. In conclusion, our study elucidated the carcinogenic role of the linc00665-EZH2-CDKN1C axis in NSCLC tumors and its ability to influence the sensitivity of these tumors to DDP. These results suggest that linc00665 may be a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in NSCLC, and they also provide a new direction for the development of clinical reversal methods for acquired drug resistance in patients with NSCLC.