miR-106 serves as a prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer and promotes cancer progression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern, clinical value, and functional roles of miR-106 in gastric cancer. Expression of miR-106 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate the potential prognostic value of miR-106 in gastric cancer. Cell experiments were carried out to explore the functional roles of miR-106. Expression of miR-106 was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, compared with controls (all P < 0.05). Increased miR-106 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. High miR-106 expression predicted shorter overall survival, compared with low expression levels (log-rank P = 0.028). Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that miR-106 was an independent prognostic factor for patients. Cell experiments demonstrated that cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were enhanced by upregulation of miR-106 expression, but were suppressed by reduction of miR-106 expression (all P < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-106 may serve as an independent prognostic biomarker of gastric cancer and promote tumor progression.