Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as significant regulators of gene expression and a novel promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This study identified a novel, differentially expressed lncRNA in advanced gastric cancer (AGC), Inc-ATMIN-4:2, and evaluated its clinicopathological and prognostic significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in AGC tissue samples. We also analyzed lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression in 317 patients with AGC using RNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS: High (>30 dots) lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression significantly correlated with younger age, poorly differentiated histology, diffuse type, deeper invasion depth, perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, and higher stage group. In addition, high lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression was significantly associated with worse overall survival in patients with AGC. CONCLUSION: This study elucidated the significance of lncRNAs in AGC and indicated the value of lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression as a predictive biomarker for the overall survival of patients with AGC.