LncRNA SNHG7 contributes to cell proliferation, invasion and prognosis of cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in the development of various cancers. However, the function of IncRNA SNHG7 in cervical cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of IncRNA SNHG7 in cervical cancer and to explore the possible underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of IncRNA SNHG7 in 60 cervical cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays were used to study the effects of IncRNA SNHG7 on the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells, respectively. Furthermore, Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proteins in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. RESULTS: LncRNA SNHG7 expression increased significantly in cervical cancer tissues. The inhibition of IncRNA SNHG7 expression markedly inhibited cervical cell proliferation and invasion. Meanwhile, the inhibition of IncRNA SNHG7 resulted in the increased protein expression level of E-cadherin, and decreased protein expressions of N-cadherin and Vimentin. In addition, the survival time of patients with high expression of IncRNA SNHG7 was remarkably shortened. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA SNHG7 contributes to cell proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer. Moreover, SNHG7 has emerged as an independent and significant factor associated with poor survival of cervical cancer patients.