Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been highlighted as crucial elements in cancer biology. LncRNA activated by transforming growth factor-β (ATB) was identified to promote the development of multiple cancers and may serve as a potential therapeutic target in human cancers. However, to the best of our knowledge, the functional role of ATB in cervical cancer has not been verified yet.
Materials and methods: The expression of lncRNA ATB was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay in cervical cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. The clinical significance of ATB was statistically evaluated by analyzing the relationship between ATB overexpression and the clinicopathological characteristics of cervical cancer patients. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were conducted to investigate the role of ATB in the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of cervical cancer patients or subgroup patients. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses were adopted to identify the risk factors of OS and PFS of cervical cancer patients.
Results: LncRNA ATB was upregulated in cervical cancer cell lines and tissues (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that ATB overexpression was correlated with higher squamous cell carcinoma antigen level, larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and more advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage of cervical cancer patients (P < 0.05). In addition, survival analysis showed that ATB upregulation was associated with poorer OS in cervical cancer patients and in subgroup patients without/with lymph node metastasis and with FIGO Stage I/II (P < 0.05). Furthermore, high ATB expression was defined as an independent risk factor of poorer OS and early recurrence of cervical cancer patients (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: LncRNA ATB correlates with the malignant phenotypes and poor prognosis of cervical cancer. ATB may serve as a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target of cervical cancer patients.