Investigating the expression of LNCRNAs TMPO-AS1, DDX11-AS1, and POLE gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background and aim: Head and neck cancer includes all cancers located in the head and neck area, including larynx, oral cavity, nasal cavities, lips, myopic sinuses, tongue and salivary glands. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the expression levels of LNCRNAs TMPO-AS1, DDX11-AS1 and POLE mRNA in tumor and normal tissues adjacent to the tumor of patients with HNSCC. Methods and Materials: 50 fresh frozen samples were collected from patients with HNSCC. The expression levels of LNCRNAs TMPO-AS1, DDX11-AS1 and POLE mRNA were measured using real time PCR technique. Results:Based on the findings of this study, an increase in the expression levels of DDX11-AS1 and POLE was observed in tumor tissues compared to the normal tissue adjacent to the tumor (P-value=0.947 and P-value= 0.997). From the point of view of examining the TMPO-AS1 gene, a decrease in expression (P-value=0.163) was observed in tumor samples compared to normal samples adjacent to the tumor. Also, a significant expression correlation (P-value=0.006) was observed between TMPO-AS1 and POLE in normal samples adjacent to the tumor. In addition, a significant expression correlation (P-value=0.001) was observed between DDX11-AS1 and POLE in normal samples adjacent to the tumor. Conclusion:Therefore, DDX11-AS1 and POLE genes probably play a role as oncogenes in HNSCC, while TMPO-AS1 gene is considered as a tumor suppressor gene in this cancer.