Study of long non-coding RNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) in breast cancer: A clinical & in vitro investigation

Background & objectives: Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play critical roles in tumour initiation and progression. This study was aimed to evaluate the potential role of lncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) in breast cancer. Methods: The expression of HULC was evaluated in breast cancer patients and cell lines using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Small interfering RNA-based knockdown was also employed to study the potential role of HULC in breast cancer cell lines including ZR-75-1, MCF7 and MDA-MB-231. Results: HULC was significantly upregulated in tumour tissues compared to non-tumoural margins (P <0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the biomarker potential of HULC (ROCAUC=0.78, P <0.001). The HULC knockdown induced apoptosis and suppressed cellular migration in breast cancer cell lines. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results indicated that HULC was upregulated in breast cancer and might play a role in tumourigenesis. The HULC may have a potential to be exploited as a new biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer.