Identification of LBX2 as a novel causal gene of lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most predominant histological type of lung cancer with a poor prognosis. In this study, we demonstrate that LBX2 regulates cell proliferation, migration and invasion and the potential molecular mechanism in LUAD. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset was accessed to screen for novel genes and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were performed to determine the association between LBX2 expression and clinicopathological features of LUAD. 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, colony formation and Real Time xCELLigence analysis system were used to evaluate the cell proliferation abilities of LUAD. Wound healing, transwell and Matrigel assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion capacities. Xenograft tumor models were used to assess the oncogenic role of LBX2 in vivo. RESULTS: We found that LBX2 was hyperexpressed in LUAD and correlated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in LUAD patients. Knockdown of LBX2 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD, whereas ectopic expression of LBX2 enhanced tumor growth, migration, and invasion. We further found that LBX2 might participate in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and influence EMT‐related gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that LBX2 plays an oncogenic role in LUAD and may participate in tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion through EMT progression. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: LBX2 might participate in LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion via EMT progression. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: LBX2 may represent a potential biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for LUAD.