Evaluation of long non-coding RNA n۳۴۵۶۰, AF۱۴۷۴۴۷, and SNHG۸ genes expression levels in gastric cancer patients and their association with Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus infections

The occurrence of gastric cancer is associated with numerous aspects, including the host's lifestyle and genetic history. Understanding gastric cancer molecular mechanisms can improve our insight into the early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In this study, the RNA level of SNHG۸, AF۱۴۷۴۴۷, and n۳۴۵۶۰ genes in gastric tumor tissues was investigated and their association with Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus infections was evaluated. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues (۱۰۰ samples), including ۵۰ samples of gastric cancer tissues and ۵۰ samples of healthy tissues were taken. The expression level of SNHG۸, AF۱۴۷۴۴۷, and n۳۴۵۶۰ genes in gastric cancer and control tissues were examined using the qRT-PCR technique. A significant association was observed between the expression level of the SNHG۸ gene in gastric tumor tissues compared to the healthy tissues (P=۰.۰۰۰۳). Relative expression of AF۱۴۷۴۴۷ and n۳۴۵۶۰ genes did not show any significant difference among gastric tumor tissues compared to the normal tissues (P=۰.۲۹۸۴, P=۰.۹۱۵۸). In addition, pathological comparison of clinical data with the expression of SNHG۸, AF۱۴۷۴۴۷, and n۳۴۵۶۰ genes did not show any significant association in tumor and healthy tissues, but the expression level of AF۱۴۷۴۴۷ gene in Helicobacter pylori infection (P=۰.۰۴۵۸) and expression level of n۳۴۵۶۰ gene in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (P=۰.۰۳۶۲) showed significant association. In conclusion, we found a significant association between SNHG۸ gene expression levels and the possible cancer incidence. Also, a significant association was observed between the expression of n۳۴۵۶۰ and AF۱۴۷۴۴۷ genes relating to H.pylori and EBV infections in gastric cancer.

Keywords:

gastric cancer , long non-coding RNA , qRT-PCR , n۳۴۵۶۰ gene , SNHG۸ gene , AF۱۴۷۴۴۷ gene