Circ_0020123 promotes NSCLC tumorigenesis via up-regulating KIAA1522 expression through miR-940

Circ_0020123 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and knockdown of circ_0020123 abolished cell growth, migration and invasion <i>in vitro</i> and hindered tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanically, circ_0020123 directly targeted miR-940, and KIAA1522 was a target of miR-940. Thereafter, a series of rescue experiments showed that circ_0020123 served its biological functions by miR-940/KIAA1522 axis. In all, circ_0020123 acted as an oncogene to promote the tumorigenesis of NSCLC via miR-940/KIAA1522 axis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.