Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to be aberrantly expressed and perform different functions in numerous types of tumor; however, their expression levels in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) remain largely unclear. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the function of circRNA_001937 in CSCC. Differential circRNA expression profiles of CSCC were analyzed using the Arraystar Human circRNAs chip and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR); and the effects of circRNA_001937 on cell behavior, in particular its regulation over the microRNA (miRNA)‑597‑3p/Fos‑related antigen 2 (FOSL2) pathway, was investigated using a dual‑luciferase reporter assay, and verified using RT‑qPCR and western blotting. circRNA_001937 expression levels were significantly increased in CSCC tissues and cell lines compared with the corresponding adjacent tissues and control cells (P<0.05). The genetic silencing of circRNA_001937 with small interfering RNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis (P<0.05). circRNA_001937 was observed to directly bind to miRNA‑597‑3p and serve as a sponge, which indirectly increased the expression levels of FOSL2, a miRNA‑597‑3p target gene. In conclusion, circRNA_001937 expression was increased in CSCC and silencing circRNA_001937 gene expression may inhibit CSCC progression by sponging the miRNA‑597‑3p/FOSL2 pathway.