Genome-wide analyses identify circAQR, a circular RNA suppressing proliferation but promoting migration and invasion in thyroid cancer.

ABSTRACT: Thyroid cancer frequently metastasizes, even in small lesions, significantly impacting prognosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of tumor biology; however, their roles in thyroid cancer progression remain poorly understood. Using RNA sequencing data from clinical and GEO-derived samples, we identified 111,971 circRNAs, including 13,399 novel thyroid cancer-specific circRNAs. TNM stage-specific analysis revealed 43 circRNAs positively correlated with tumor size (Rho = 1) and 168 negatively correlated (Rho = -1). Gene Ontology enrichment analysis demonstrated that the target genes of thyroid cancer-specific circRNAs are enriched in cell developmental regulation pathways (NES = 1.74, p < 0.05). Network analysis further suggested that these circRNAs function as co

SUBMITTER: Zhou T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12159170 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature