CircRNA-14052 promotes breast cancer progression via miR-214-3p/IKBKB pathway.

OBJECTIVES: Circular RNAs play crucial regulatory roles in the progression of human diseases. This study aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of circRNA-14,052 in breast cancer progression. METHODS: The biological functions of circRNA-14,052 were assessed using CCK-8, wound healing, flow cytometry assays. The ceRNA regulatory network of circRNA-14,052-miR-214-3p- IKBKB was validated by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The levels of circRNA-14,052 were notably elevated, but the levels of miR-214-3p were markedly reduced in breast cancer tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Downregulation of circRNA-14,052 or overexpression of miR-214-3p reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation and triggered cell apoptosis. Mechanically, circRNA-14,052 could elevate IKBKB levels via competitively sponging miR-214-3p. Notably, miR-214-3p inhibition reversed the growth-suppressive effects of circRNA-14,052 silencing. Additionally, circRNA-14,052 knockdown notably reduced IKBKB, IL-6, JAK2 and STAT3 levels in MCF-7 cells; whereas these changes were reversed by miR-214-3p deficiency. Furthermore, deficiency of circRNA-14,052 reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo through targeting miR-214-3p/IKBKB/IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 axis. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results showed that circRNA-14,052 promotes breast cancer progression via the miR-214-3p/IKBKB axis. Targeting this molecular axis may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment.