Screening key long non-coding RNAs in early-stage colon adenocarcinoma by RNA-sequencing.

Aim: We aim to identify the key long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in early-stage colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). Patients & methods: Compared with colonic intraepithelial neoplasia, differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in early-stage COAD were obtained by RNA-sequencing. Our previous work has obtained the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs (DEmRNAs and DEmiRNAs) in early-stage COAD. DEmiRNA-DElncRNA-DEmRNA interaction analysis and functional annotation were performed. Validation of expression and receiver-operating characteristic analyses were performed based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. Results: Seventy-nine significantly DElncRNAs in early-stage COAD were obtained. MiR153-3p-TUG1-DAPK1/ARNT2/KLK3/PLD1/SMAD2 and miR-153-3p-SNHG17-COL11A1/IGFBP3/KLF6 interactions were associated with early-stage COAD. Five DElncRNAs (ELFN1-AS1, LINC01234, SNHG17, UCA1 and LOC101929549) involved in early-stage COAD with potential diagnostic value. Conclusion: LncRNAs involve in early-stage COAD by interaction with COAD-regulated genes and miRNAs.