miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p promote cell proliferation and invasion by targeting Axin2 in liver cancer

Globally, liver cancer has the third highest mortality rate among all types of cancer due to the invasive and metastatic capacities of liver tumor cells. MicroRNA (miR) is a class of non-coding RNAs that participate in the development of liver cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p promote the proliferation and invasion of liver cancer cells through targeting axis formation inhibitor 2 (Axin2) and to identify suitable targets for the treatment of liver cancer. The expression levels of miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p were determined in liver cancer tissues and cells by quantitative PCR, and the association between miR-221-3p, miR-15b-5p and Axin2 expression in liver cancer cells was analyzed using cell transfection. The results demonstrated that miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p levels were upregulated in liver cancer tissues and cell lines, and results from predictive bioinformatic analysis and identification revealed that Axin2 was the common target gene of miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p. miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p may be used as prognostic indicators for liver cancer. The miR-221-3p/miR-15b-5p-Axin2 axis may serve as a therapeutic target in patients with liver cancer.