A novel super-enhancer-driven lncRNA LINC00973 governs head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression through EN2.

ABSTRACT: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators driving cancer development and potential therapeutic targets across multiple human malignancies. However, their mechanistic roles during head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) initiation and progression remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we identified a novel oncogenic lncRNA, LINC00973, which was aberrantly upregulated in clinical samples and associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and adverse clinical outcomes. LINC00973 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited cell apoptosis and senescence in vitro, and induced tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC00973 functioned as a molecular sponge for tumor-suppressive miR-6756-3p, consequently stabili

SUBMITTER: Wang A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848070 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature