LINC01094 targets miR-1266-5p to halt neoplasm progression of cervical cancer.

Background: To investigate the mechanism and prognostic value of LINC01094 in cervical cancer (CC).

Methods: This study included 113 patients with CC. Their cervical tumour tissues and tumour-free cervical tissues were collected, with patient follow-up for a five-year prognostic period. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to identify LINC01094 and measure miR-1266-5p expression, Kaplan-Meier curves were used to predict patient survival, and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed the factors affecting CC prognosis. A dual luciferase reporter (DLR) assay was performed to verify the targeting relationship of reciprocal genes. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay was used to measure cell proliferation, and the Transwell recorded cell migration and invasion.

Results: Lower LINC01094 expression and higher level of miR-1266-5p expression were detected in-tumour tissues than in the tumour-free cervical tissues, with a negative correlation. Low LINC01094 expression, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and lymph node metastasis were identified as risk factors for CC prognosis, LINC01094 downregulation predicted higher patient mortality. The DLR assay identified miR-1266-5p as a possible target gene of LINC01094. Additional experiments revealed miR-1266-5p downregulation and decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion of CC cells transfected with oe-LINC01094. These effects were restored after co-transfection with miR-mimic.

Conclusions: Low LINC01094 expression in patient with CC is a risk factor for prognosis. Overexpression of LINC01094 targeting miR-1266-5p prevents the progression of CC neoplasm.