Association of CASC18/miR-20a-3p/TGFB2 ceRNA axis with occult lymph node metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) ranks as the most prevalent malignancy in the oral cavity. TSCC patients with occult lymph node metastasis (OLNM) are thought to be at risk of worse outcome. However, regulatory mechanisms underlying OLNM remain less investigated.

Methods

In the present study, CASC18/miR-20a-3p/TGFB2 axis was identified and evaluated by bioinformatic and qRT-PCR analyses. Effects of CASC18 knockdown on cell migration and invasion were determined by wound healing and transwell assays. Western blot, ELISA, RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays were performed for mechanism verification.

Results

CASC18 was identified up-regulating in TSCC tumours, and especially in those from patients with OLNM. Importantly, we found higher CASC18 exp

SUBMITTER: Zhou B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8349069 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature