LncRNA HOTTIP and HOTTIP SNP rs1859168 in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Long non-coding RNA HOXA transcript at the distal tip (lncRNA HOTTIP) has been suggested as a tumor promoter in colorectal cancer (CRC). The emergence and spread of CRC have been associated with aberrant lncRNA expression. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are proven to be linked to cancer susceptibility and may influence the expression and function of lncRNAs. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic roles of lncRNA HOTTIP in CRC patients and to investigate the risk association between CRC susceptibility and HOTTIP SNP rs1859168. Methodology: This study included 30 CRC patients and 30 healthy controls. Gene expression of lncRNA HOTTIP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tissue using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was done. SNP genotyping of HOTTIP SNP rs1859168 was also done. Results: PBMCs and tissue expression levels of HOTTIP were upregulated in CRC cases with higher tissue expression than that of PBMCs in CRC cases. The frequency of the homozygous CC and the C allele of HOTTIP SNP rs1859168 was increased in CRC cases. Conclusion: The tissue and PBMCs expression levels of HOTTIP were able to diagnose CRC and differentiate between grade II and III CRC. Regarding HOTTIP SNP rs1859168, the homozygous CC and the C allele were associated with an increased risk of developing CRC.