Circular RNA hsa:circ_0007059 indicates prognosis and influences malignant behavior via AKT/mTOR in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common oral cancer, damages oral epithelial cells after the accumulation of multiple genetic mutations. Although emerging evidence supports the key role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various malignancies, the clinical value and function of circRNAs in OSCC remain unclear. In this study, patients with OSCC (n = 8) and controls (n = 8) were compared using high-throughput sequencing and microarray circRNA expression profiles. The circRNA hsa:circ_0007059 was downregulated in OSCC. Subsequently, hsa:circ_0007059 levels in OSCC tissues and cell lines were assessed by quantitative reverse-transcription chain reaction. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments were performed to determine whether hsa:circ_0007059 affects malignant behavior in SCC15 and CAL27 cells. Importantly, hsa:circ_0007059 upregulation suppressed cell growth, migration, and invasion, facilitating apoptosis of these cells. Furthermore, nude mouse tumor formation was assessed to validate the tumor-suppressive role of hsa:circ_0007059 in vivo. Finally, hsa:circ_0007059 was determined to alter cell growth via AKT/mTOR signaling, representing a potential prognostic/therapeutic target for OSCC.