Expression Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA HAR1A and HAR1B in HBV-Induced Hepatocullular Carcinoma in Chinese Patients

Objective To determine the clinical relevance of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HAR1A and HAR1B expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods In this study, we enrolled 50 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without cirrhosis, 50 cases of CHB and liver cirrhosis (LC), and 100 cases of HBV and HCC. The expression profiles of lncRNA HAR1A and HAR1B were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results The expression levels of HAR1A and HAR1B were significantly lower in the HCC group, compared with the CHB and LC groups (P <.01). HAR1A and HAR1B were negatively associated with histologic grade and TNM (tumor/nodes/metastasis) stage (all P <.05). Univariable multivariable analysis showed that decreased HAR1A (HR = 0.753, P = .02) and HAR1B (HR = 0.551, P = .01) levels were independent predictors for shorter overall survival (OS) in HCC. Conclusion Decreased HAR1A and HAR1B expression in HCC indicates poor prognosis.