Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent types of gastrointestinal tract cancers. Abnormal expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been shown to be closely associated with the progression of CRC. The aim of the current study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of lncRNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) in CRC. METHODS: The expression levels and diagnostic value of serum NEAT1 were evaluated in the training and validation cohorts. Then, the prognosis value of serum NEAT1 in CRC was further explored. RESULTS: The expression levels of serum NEAT1 were significantly higher in CRC, especially in metastatic CRC, than in colorectal adenoma and healthy controls. In addition, serum NEAT1 could well differentiate metastatic CRC from non-metastatic CRC and CRC from colorectal adenoma or healthy controls. Moreover, the metastatic CRC cells secreted more NEAT1 than the control cells. Upregulation of serum NEAT1 was significantly associated with poor clinical outcome of CRC, and serum NEAT1 was identified as an independent prognostic factor for CRC. CONCLUSION: Serum NEAT1 might be a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC.