The oncogenic role of lncRNA DSG2-AS1 and its functional link to SGK1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains a malignancy with rising incidence and poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular biomarkers is critical for improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this study, the expression levels of serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) and the novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Desmoglein-2 Antisense RNA 1 (DSG2-AS1) were assessed in LSCC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. METHODS: The gene and protein expression levels were assessed in the LSCC tissues (n = 50) compared to adjacent normal tissues (n = 50) using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Results showed that the SGK1 gene and protein expression levels (p = 0.015 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and lncRNA DSG2-AS1 (p = 0.003) were elevated in cancerous tissues relative to corresponding normal tissues. Notably, a positive correlation was identified between SGK1 and DSG2-AS1 gene expression levels (r = 0.321, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to demonstrate concurrent upregulation of SGK1 and DSG2-AS1 in LSCC, as oncogene targets. It showed a potential relationship that may be involved in tumor progression among LSCC patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12672-025-04229-w.