Differential expression and prognostic value of long nonâ coding RNA in HPVâ negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundLong nonâ coding RNA (lncRNA) has emerged as a new avenue of interest due to its various biological functions in cancer. Abnormal expression of lncRNA has been reported in other malignancies but has been understudied in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).MethodsThe lncRNA expression was interrogated via quantitative realâ time polymerase chain reaction (qRTâ PCR) array for 19 human papillomavirus (HPV)â negative HNSCC tumorâ normal pairs. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to validate these results. The association between differentially expressed lncRNA and survival outcomes was analyzed.ResultsDifferential expression was validated for 5 lncRNA (SPRY4â IT1, HEIH, LUCAT1, LINC00152, and HAND2â AS1). There was also an inverse association between MEG3 expression (not significantly differentially expressed in TCGA tumors but highly variable expression) and 3â year recurrenceâ free survival (RFS).ConclusionWe identified and validated differential expression of 5 lncRNA in HPVâ negative HNSCC. Low MEG3 expression was associated with favorable 3â year RFS, although the significance of this finding remains unclear.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144638/1/hed25136_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144638/2/hed25136.pd