LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer and its expression level is related to clinicopathology.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1OT1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to elucidate its clinical significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in NSCLC tissues and para-cancer tissues (5 cm or above away from the tumor). The relation between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression and the clinical-pathological data was analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 increased significantly in NSCLC tissues than that of in para-cancer tissues. According to the median expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, NSCLC patients were divided into two groups, including high expression group and low expression group. Meanwhile, the lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression was correlated with tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC patients. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis indicated that the high expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 was closely related to TNM staging and lymph node metastasis. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the overall survival and progression-free survival time of patients with higher lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression were significantly worse than those with lower lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 might contribute to the development of NSCLC.