Identification of reference genes for circulating long noncoding RNA analysis in serum of cervical cancer patients

Circulating lncRNAs have attracted considerable attention as potential noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosing cancers. RT‐qPCR is the canonical technique for detecting circulating RNA and depends largely on stable reference genes for data normalization. However, no systematic evaluation of reference genes for serum lncRNA has been reported for cervical cancer. Here, we profiled and validated lncRNA expression from serum of cervical cancer patients and controls using microarrays and RT‐qPCR. We identified lncRNA RP11‐204K16.1, XLOC_012542, and U6 small nuclear RNA as the most stable reference genes based on geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, delta Ct, and RefFinder. These genes were suitable also for samples from different age groups or with hemolysis. Additionally, we discovered lncRNA AC017078.1 and XLOC_011152 as candidate biomarkers, whose expression was down‐regulated in cervical cancer. Our findings could aid research on circulating lncRNA and the discovery of blood‐based biomarkers for cervical cancer diagnosis.