Upregulation of long non-coding RNA LINC01614 in breast cancer and its association with clinicopathological features

Abstract

Epigenetic factors, such as regulatory RNAs, are among the most important drivers of breast cancer. Many of these non-coding RNAs are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Research has shown that numerous lncRNAs play a significant role in the development of breast cancer and can be categorized as either oncogenic or tumor suppressor. This study aims to identify the candidate lncRNAs relevant to breast cancer through bioinformatics studies and then investigate changes in their expression levels, specifically focusing on LINC01614 lncRNAs, in cancerous tissues in comparison to adjacent noncancerous tissues. Method: In this study, gene expression data for 12,727 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were analyzed, consisting of 837 breast cancer samples and 105 normal samples, using the TANRIC database. To explore the potential biological functions of selective lncRNA, we identified its top 50 co-expressed genes using the lncHUB platform. This list of genes was subsequently subjected to comprehensive enrichment analysis, using the Enrichment Analysis Visualizer Appyter. Post-surgery patient samples were collected, and RNA was isolated and converted to cDNA for real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to evaluate gene expression levels. Graph Pad Prism was employed for statistical evaluation of the data. Result and discussion: Differential expression analysis revealed 64 lncRNAs, with LINC01614 showing the highest up-regulation (logFC of 2.34). Functional enrichment analysis of co-expressed genes revealed strong associations with key oncogenic pathways, including extracellular matrix organization, PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling, and immune response processes. The analysis of long non-coding RNA LINC01614 indicated a significant 6.5-fold increase in cancer samples compared to normal tissues, suggesting its role in breast cancer development. Expression levels varied by tumor grade, with higher levels observed in grades 1 and 2 compared to grade 3, indicating its potential significance in tumor development. The study also explored the relationship between LINC01614 expression and PR-receptor status. Conclusion: This study reveals the multifunctional role of LINC01614 in breast cancer pathogenesis. Its significant overexpression and involvement in diverse oncogenic processes highlight its potential as both a novel diagnostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate its precise mechanisms and clinical applicability. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.