Diagnostic and prognostic value of lncSPATA8-AS1 in prostate cancer and its regulatory effect on tumor progression

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have significant impacts on the occurrence and development of many cancers. However, their effects and mechanisms on prostate Cancer (PCa) remain largely unknown. The study was to explore the influence of lncSPATA8-AS1 on PCa and its molecular mechanism of action.

Methods: In the GSE179321 dataset, lncSPATA8-AS1, which was upregulated in PCa tumor tissues, was selected. The expression levels of lncSPATA8-AS1, miR-328-5p, and EphB2 were detected using RT-qPCR. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of lncSPATA8-AS1 on the malignant biological behaviors of PCa cells. Finally, the mechanism of lncSPATA8-AS1 was revealed through methods such as biotin-labeled RNA pull-down, luciferase assay, and rescue experiments.

Results: LncSPATA8-AS1 was upregulated in PCa tissues, serum, and cell lines. Clinically, lncSPATA8-AS1 could serve as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa. Silencing lncSPATA8-AS1 can inhibit the cell viability of PCa tumor cells, suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), cell migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, lncSPATA8-AS1 affects the expression of EphB2 by interacting with miR-653-5p, thereby regulating the malignant biological behavior of PCa.

Conclusion: The expression of lncSPATA8-AS1 is upregulated in the serum of PCa patients, and it has great potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa. The lncSPATA8-AS1/miR-328-5p/EphB2 axis drives the malignant biological behavior of prostate Cancer.