The long noncoding RNA CCDC144NL-AS1: prognosis significance and potential biological functions in cervical carcinoma

Recent research has shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) performs a critical regulatory function across multiple malignancies. The involvement of RNA in the progression of multiple human cancer types has been elucidated; however, there is limited understanding regarding the importance of the lncRNA CCDC144NL-AS1 in cervical carcinoma (CC). CCDC144NL-AS1 expression was measured in 86 CC samples by RT-PCR. CC cell lines were engineered with CCDC144NL-AS1 overexpression using plasmid vectors, allowing for the exploration of its impact on the migration of tumour cells. Additionally, we studied how CCDC144NL-AS1 impacts epithelial-mesenchymal transition signalling, focusing on its expression levels and functional roles. CCDC144NL-AS1 expression showed a notable increase in gynaecological tumour specimens and cell lines in contrast to normal control (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). This expression exhibited relationships with the clinical stage (<i>p</i> = 0.003), histologic grade (<i>p</i> = 0.020), and lymph node metastasis (<i>p</i> = 0.013). Additionally, survival rates were found to be lower in CC patients with increased CCDC144NL-AS1 expression, as confirmed by multivariate analysis, compared to individuals with reduced expression levels (Hazard ratio = 1.960; <i>p</i> = 0.020). CCDC144NL-AS1 also facilitated increased cell viability and migration while triggering the EMT pathway. Xenograft models demonstrated that lower CCDC144NL-AS1 levels resulted in smaller tumours and longer survival (median survival: 43.5 vs. 35.5 days, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). CCDC144NL-AS1 significantly influences cell migration, making it a promising target for CC treatment and a valuable prognostic indicator. LncRNAs could be utilised as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. While accumulating research points to the involvement of CCDC144NL-AS1, a type of lncRNA, in various tumours, its study in cervical carcinoma has been minimal. We carried out a targeted analysis of CCDC144NL-AS1 expression in cervical carcinoma tissues using RT-qPCR. Further assessments of its role in cell migration were made through CCK-8 assays, Wound-healing, and xenograft experiments. Functional assays indicated that CCDC144NL-AS1 acts as a tumour promoter in cervical carcinoma, with higher expression associated with tumour progression and a poor prognosis. Our findings provide the first comprehensive understanding of CCDC144NL-AS1’s role in cervical carcinoma, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker.