Comprehensive analysis of the long non-coding RNA-associated competitive endogenous RNA network reveals novel prognostic biomarkers in Wilms' tumor

Wilms' tumor (WT) is one of the most common types of renal carcinoma in children. The aim of the present study was to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation network and explore novel prognostic biomarkers for WT. The expression profiles were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database to identify differentially expressed RNAs (DERNAs). Based on the interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs/long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a ceRNA network was constructed. Functional enrichment analyses were subsequently conducted to explore the functions of the ceRNA-associated DEmRNAs. Survival analysis was performed to screen for prognosis-associated RNAs and the χ(2) test was used to assess the associations between prognosis-associated RNA expression and histology classification/clinical staging. The present study identified 1,784 lncRNAs, 114 miRNAs and 3,337 mRNAs, which were abnormally expressed in WT compared with that in normal samples. By prediction, pairing and network analysis, a ceRNA network consisting of 38 DElncRNAs, 18 DEmiRNAs and 99 DEmRNAs was established. These DEmRNAs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with the occurrence and development of WT. By combining the expression data with survival analysis, seven prognosis-associated RNAs were identified (P<0.05). Of these seven RNAs, two (zinc finger and BTB domain containing 4; and deleted in lymphocytic leukemia 2) were significantly associated with clinical staging and histology classification. Lastly, the expression levels of the seven RNAs were verified in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The present study revealed that 7 RNAs might be considered as novel prognostic biomarkers and potential treatment targets for therapy in WT. In addition, the ceRNA regulation network could provide novel strategies for further studies on lncRNAs and miRNAs in WT.