Knockdown of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Drug Resistance of Breast Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate the effect of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 on breast cancer cells proliferation, migration, and drug resistance as well as its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of breast cancer tissues and cells from patients admitted to our hospital and the expression of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 in MCF-7/ADR in adriamycin- (ADR-) resistant breast cancer cells. After interfering with or overexpressing lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 in MCF-7/ADR cells, cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were detected using CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell assay, and scratch test, respectively. The protein levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells and increased cell drug resistance to ADR. Downregulation of lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 inhibited invasion and migration of MCF-7/ADR cells, promoted apoptosis, increased chemosensitivity of MCF-7/ADR cells, and inhibited the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MCF-7/ADR cells. CONCLUSIONS: lncRNA FOXD2-AS1 can promote the proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance of breast cancer cells, inhibit apoptosis, and accelerate the development of breast cancer by positively regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.