LncRNA ELFN1-AS1 maintains the stemness of colorectal cancer by preventing ubiquitinated degradation of the hnRNPA1 protein.

ABSTRACT: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are closely related to tumor drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis, presenting significant challenges in cancer treatment. Although numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC), only a few have been reported to regulate cancer stemness. The lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 is known to play a crucial role in CRC development; however, its function in maintaining cancer stemness remains uncertain. In this study, we established colorectal cancer stem cell-like (CSC-like) cells enrichment models using human SW620 and HCT116 cell lines and found that ELFN1-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in CD44⁺CD133⁺ CSC-like cells. Functional assays, including cell spheroid formation, colony formation, and subcutaneous tumor tr

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12847536 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature