LINC00662 promotes cell viability and metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by sponging miR‐340‐5p and upregulating HOXB2

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that lncRNA LINC00662 plays an important role in pathogenesis of malignancies. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of LINC00662 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: In this study, the regulatory mechanism of LINC00662 was investigated by RT‐qPCR. MTT, transwell and dual luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS: Upregulation of LINC00662 was found in ESCC and associated with worse clinical outcomes in ESCC patients. More importantly, knockdown of LINC00662 restrained cell proliferation, migration and invasion in ESCC. In addition, LINC00662 acts as a molecular sponge for miR‐340‐5p in ESCC, and miR‐340‐5p directly targets HOXB2. HOXB2 expression can be positively regulated by LINC00662 in ESCC. Furthermore, HOXB2 downregulation or miR‐340‐5p overexpression weakened the carcinogenesis of LINC00662 in ESCC. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA LINC00662 promotes the progression of ESCC by upregulating HOXB2 by sponging miR‐340‐5p.