Research on Correlations of miR-196a Expression with Progression and Prognosis of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between miR-196a expression and the progression and prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tissue samples and corresponding paracancerous tissue samples from 117 patients with CSCC were collected. The qRT-PCR analysis was used to detect the expression levels of miR-196a. Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between miR-196a expression and patients’ prognosis. The CCK-8 and transwell assays were used to explore the effects of miR-196a on the abilities of cell proliferation, migration, or invasion. RESULTS: miR-196a expression was significantly up-regulated in CSCC tissues or cell lines, compared with adjacent normal tissues or cell lines, respectively. High expression of miR-196a was associated with positive lymph node metastasis, high TNM stages, and a lower five-year survival rate. The expression level of miR-196a was up-regulated and the proliferation, migration or invasion ability of cells were significantly increased accordingly. CONCLUSION: miR-196a is highly expressed in CSCC, thus affecting the occurrence and development of CSCC. More importantly, miR-196a was shown to have potential as a prognostic marker for CSCC.