Long non-coding RNA HOXC-AS1 promotes the malignancy by sponging miR-195-5p with ANLN in esophageal cancer

Long non-coding RNA HOXC cluster antisense RNA 1 (HOXC-AS1) has been found to be upregulated in gastric and prostate cancer, but its role in esophageal cancer (EC) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression and biological functions of HOXC-AS1 in EC. HOXC-AS1 expression was measured using qRT-PCR in EC cell lines. The effects of HOXC-AS1 on EC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, were assessed using MTT, EdU, transwell, wound healing assays, and animal models. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were performed to explore the mechanism of action of HOXC-AS1 in EC. HOXC-AS1 was found to be upregulated in EC tissues according to TCGA database analysis. It exhibited abundant expression in EC cell lines. Suppression of HOXC-AS1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells in vitro, as well as constrained tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, HOXC-AS1 functioned as a sponge for miR-195-5p, and the anillin actin-binding protein (ANLN) was identified as a direct target of miR-195-5p. Inhibition of miR-195-5p or upregulation of ANLN reversed the repressive effects of HOXC-AS1 knockdown on malignant behaviors of EC cells. This study reveals that HOXC-AS1 promotes the progression of EC through modulation of the miR-195-5p/ANLN axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for EC treatment.