Long Noncoding RNA FOXP4-AS1 Predicts Unfavourable Prognosis and Regulates Proliferation and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer that has a high level of morbidity and mortality. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a novel regulatory factor of tumour proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Our previous studies indicated that lncRNA FOXP4-AS1 is a functional oncogene in HCC; thus, this study is aimed at further evaluating the clinical and biological function of FOXP4-AS1 in HCC. Material and Methods. First, we detected the expression of FOXP4-AS1 in HCC tissues and paracarcinoma normal tissues by qRT-PCR. Second, the prognostic effects of FOXP4-AS1 in patients with HCC were analysed in a training group and a verification group. Subsequently, to investigate the biological effects of FOXP4-AS1 on HCC cells, downexpression tests were further conducted. RESULTS: The expression of FOXP4-AS1 was higher in HCC tissues than adjacent nontumourous tissues, whereas the low expression of FOXP4-AS1 was correlated with optimistic treatment outcomes, which suggested that FOXP4-AS1 may be an independent prognostic biomarker for HCC. Moreover, the downregulation of FOXP4-AS1 significantly reduced the cell proliferation and clonal abilities and inhibited the invasion, migration, and angiogenesis of hepatoma cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results revealed the clinical significance and biological function of FOXP4-AS1 in HCC development, which may provide a new direction for finding therapeutic targets and potential prognostic biomarkers of HCC.