The Expression of lncRNAs EVADR and LUESCC in Colorectal Tumor Tissues and Their Association With the CRC Risk

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent form of cancer globally and ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory RNAs that influence gene expression. EVADR and LUESCC are two novel lncRNAs specifically expressed in tumors of glandular origin, such as the colon.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the expression of EVADR and LUESCC in colorectal tumor tissues and evaluate their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in CRC.

Methods: Fifty cases of colorectal tumor tissues, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) from individuals with sporadic CRC, referred from the Pathology Department of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran, Iran, were analyzed. The expression patterns of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs in CRC patients were examined.

Results: The study reveals upregulation of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to normal tissues, with fold changes of 3.52 (p < 0.001) for LUESCC and 3.08 (p < 0.001) for EVADR. ROC curve analysis indicates an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.75 for LUESCC and 0.86 for EVADR, suggesting strong diagnostic potential. Additionally, differential expression analysis shows correlations between lncRNA levels and tumor differentiation grades.

Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and prognosis. However, limitations include a small sample size that may affect the generalizability of the findings and a lack of functional assays to elucidate their roles in tumor biology. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: EVADR; LUESCC; bioinformatics; colorectal cancer; long non‐coding RNAs.

FIGURE 1

Gene expression data of LUESCC lncRNA using box plots. The relative expression levels of LUESCC lncRNA are compared between CRC patients (case group) and normal tissues (control group). The analysis revealed a significant increase in expression, with an average fold change of 3.52 (p < 0.001), determined using a t‐test. This figure illustrates the distinct differences in LUESCC expression levels, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker in CRC. CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA. ** p < 0.01.

FIGURE 2

Gene expression data of EVADR lncRNA using box plots. This figure illustrates the relative expression levels of EVADR lncRNA in CRC patients compared to control groups. The data indicate a significant increase in EVADR expression, with an average fold‐change of 3.08 (p < 0.001), as determined by a t‐test. This suggests that EVADR lncRNA may play a role in CRC pathology. CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA. **** p < 0.0001.

FIGURE 3

ROC curve analysis demonstrating the diagnostic potential of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs in CRC tumors. The AUC for LUESCC expression is 75% (p < 0.0001), indicating its ability to distinguish CRC from normal tissues. For EVADR, the AUC is 86% (p < 0.0001), further supporting its role as a potential biomarker for CRC diagnosis. The ROC curve illustrates sensitivity versus 1‐specificity, providing a visual representation of the diagnostic accuracy of these lncRNAs. AUC, area under curve; CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA; ROC, receiver operating characteristic.

FIGURE 4

Expression levels of LUESCC (A) and EVADR (B) lncRNAs in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues. The analysis shows a significant increase in LUESCC expression in well‐differentiated (p = 0.0007) and poorly differentiated (p = 0.03) CRC groups. Additionally, EVADR expression is significantly elevated in well (p < 0.0001), poorly (p < 0.0001), and intermediate (p = 0.006) differentiation groups compared to normal tissues. Statistical significance was determined using the t‐test. lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA; CRC, colorectal cancer. * p < 0.05; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001.

FIGURE 5

Expression levels of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs in CRC tissues based on metastasis status. The analysis shows a significant increase in the expression of LUESCC and EVADR in the negative metastasis group compared to normal tissues. In contrast, there were no significant changes observed in the positive metastasis group. Statistical significance was determined using the t‐test, with p values reported as follows: Positive metastasis (LUESCC: p = 0.04; EVADR: p < 0.0001) and Negative metastasis (LUESCC: p < 0.0001; EVADR: p < 0.0001). CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA. **** p < 0.0001.

FIGURE 6

Expression levels of LUESCC and EVADR lncRNAs in relation to Fecal Occult Blood (FOB) results. The analysis shows a significant increase in the expression of both lncRNAs in positive FOB cases (LUESCC: p = 0.04; EVADR: p < 0.0001) and negative FOB cases (LUESCC: p < 0.0001; EVADR: p < 0.0001) compared to normal tissues. Statistical significance was determined using the t‐test. lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA. * p < 0.05; **** p < 0.0001.

FIGURE 7

Network of LUESCC lncRNA and its predicted miRNA targets. This network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.10.3 and illustrates the potential regulatory interactions between LUESCC and various miRNAs implicated in CRC. CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA; miRNA, microRNA.

FIGURE 8

Network of EVADR lncRNA and its predicted miRNA targets. This network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.10.3 and illustrates the potential regulatory interactions between LUESCC and various miRNAs implicated in CRC. CRC, colorectal cancer; lncRNA, long non‐coding RNA; miRNA, microRNA.