LINC01063 promotes colon cancer progression via the miR-134-5p/KRAS axis and serves as a prognostic biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis of colon cancer is still unsatisfactory, and there is an urgent need for reliable biomarkers and mechanistic studies. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor progression is well established, but the prognostic value and mechanism of LINC01063 in colon cancer are unclear. METHODS: We analyzed samples of colon cancer tissues and paracancerous normal tissues from 116 patients and performed functional experiments in the RKO/HCT116 cell line. The expressions of LINC01063 and miR-134-5p were measured using qRT-PCR. Clinical significance was assessed by statistical methods, and their interactions were verified by dual luciferase assay. The biological effects were evaluated by CCK-8, Transwell, and apoptosis assays. RESULTS: LINC01063 was upregulated in cancer tissues, associated with the TNM staging system and lymph node dissemination, and an independent predictor of poor prognosis. LINC01063 acts as a "molecular sponge" to adsorb miR-134-5p and deregulate its inhibitory effect on KRAS. Knockdown of LINC01063 inhibited cell proliferation/invasion and promoted apoptosis, partially reversed by miR-134-5p inhibition. LINC01063 sponged miR-134-5p to relieve inhibition of KRAS, with KRAS mediating its pro-tumor effects. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that LINC01063 can be used as an independent prognostic marker for colon cancer and explored its promotion of colon cancer cancer progression through the miR-134-5p/KRAS axis. Future studies will focus on in vivo validation and elucidation of downstream signaling cascades, while clinically, LINC01063 holds potential as a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target for KRAS-mutant colon cancer, aiding in personalized treatment strategies.