MicroRNA-203 promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer via survivin

Purpose: MicroRNAs are involved in the occurrence and progression of tumors. Previous studies have confirmed that microRN A-203 serves as an oncogene. The specific role of microRNA-203 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rarely reported. This study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of microRNA-203 on NSCLC and its underlying mechanism. Methods: MicroRNA-203 expression in 96 pairs of NSCLC tissues and paracancer tissues was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation between microRNA-203 expression and prognosis of NSCLC was further analyzed. Proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells after transfection with si-microRNA -203 or si-negative control (NC) were assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (Ed U), colony formation and Transwell assay, respectively. Rescue experiments were conducted to investigate the interaction between microRNA-203 and survivin in regulating NSCLC progression. Results: MicroRNA-203 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues than in paracancer tissues. Correlation analyses showed that microRNA-203 expression was positively correlated to tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis, whereas it was not correlated to age and sex of NSCLC patients. MicroRN A-203 knockdown inhibited proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells. Rescue experiments confirmed that microRNA-203 promotes the progression of NSCLC via targeting survivin. Conclusions: MicroRNA-203 is highly expressed in NSCLC, and is closely related to tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. It is concluded that microRNA-203 promotes the progression of NSCLC via regulating survivin expression.