LENG8-AS1: A Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer-Differential Expression and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) manifests as a prevalent malignancy marked by distinct gene expression patterns. In the intricate landscape of cancer development, non-coding RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), exert a substantial influence. This research aimed to investigate the expression patterns of the antisense long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), LENG8-AS1, and its consequential impact on the survival outcomes of patients diagnosed with CRC. Utilizing TCGA data and the TCGA Biolinks packages, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify potential lncRNA candidates implicated in CRC. The clinical data underwent Cox regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between the expression levels of selected lncRNAs, including LENG8-AS1, and the survival rates of patients. The predictive model of survival rates was visually represented through Kaplan-Meier plots. To validate the findings, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed on CRC samples and adjacent normal tissues. Data revealed that several lncRNAs, including CAPN10-AS1 and LENG8-AS1, associated with poor prognosis, while AC016027.1 and PTP4A1-AS1 were linked to better prognosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis supported the potential of these lncRNAs as prognostic markers for CRC. LENG8-AS1, a less-studied lncRNA in CRC, was found to be upregulated and was correlated with genes involved in lipid metabolism and angiogenesis pathways. RT-qPCR confirmed the increased expression of LENG8-AS1 in CRC samples. Additionally, ROC curve analysis demonstrated the potential of LENG8-AS1 as a valuable biomarker for CRC. Overall, these findings suggest that LENG8-AS1 may serve as a biomarker for CRC, with its increased expression being associated with tumor progression and poor patient prognosis.