LncRNA CASC15 regulates breast cancer cell stemness via the miR-654-5p/MEF2D axis

Emerging evidence has demonstrated the prognostic and diagnostic potential of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate 15 (lncRNA CASC15) for the progression and tumorigenesis of human cancer. However, how CASC15 modulates the stemness of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is not well understood. In this study, high expression of CASC15 in MCF-7 CSCs was reported, relative to MCF-7 cells, and this phenomenon was associated with metastatic lymph nodes, higher TNM stage, and shorter breast cancer survival rates. Further experiments revealed that CASC15 promoted the acquisition of stemness properties of breast cancer cells (BSCCs) by competing with endogenous RNA for miR-654-5p, resulting in overexpression of MEF2D in BCSCs. Overall, breast cancer stemness and tumor development are regulated via the CASC15/miR-654-5p/MEF2D axis. Accordingly, this pathway can be explored for breast cancer therapy.

Automated summary

The long noncoding RNA CASC15 has been found to have prognostic and diagnostic potential for cancer progression and tumorigenesis. This study uncovers the role of CASC15 in regulating the stemness of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and demonstrates its association with metastasis, TNM stage, and survival rates in breast cancer patients. The CASC15/miR-654-5p/MEF2D axis is identified as a key pathway in the regulation of breast cancer stemness and tumor development. These findings hold promise for the development of new therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.