Identification of lncRNA <i>HCCAT5</i> as a Novel Biomarker for Gastric Cancer

<b>Background:</b> Gastric cancer (GC) is a widespread type of cancer on a global scale, standing as the fifth most frequently occurring malignant disease. Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) due to genomic mutations in noncoding DNA sequences can contribute to the development of tumors. Detecting GC at an early stage can significantly improve the chances of survival and treatment effectiveness. The current study evaluated the expression of lncRNA <i>HCCAT5</i> in primary gastric tumors as well as in adjacent noncancerous tissues. <b>Methods:</b> One hundred pairs of GC and adjacent noncancerous tissue samples were acquired from Tabriz International Valiasr Hospital in Iran for the study. Subsequently, RNA extraction was conducted, and this was followed by cDNA synthesis. The expression of <i>HCCAT5</i> was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and <i>HCCAT5</i> expression was analyzed using SPSS software. Furthermore, the predictive value of <i>HCCAT5</i> in GC was examined via analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. <b>Results:</b> <i>HCCAT5</i> exhibited a significant upregulation in tumor samples in contrast to adjacent noncancerous tissues (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). On the other hand, no significant relationship was detected between the elevated expression of <i>HCCAT5</i> and the clinicopathological features of the individuals (<i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> The lncRNA <i>HCCAT5</i> is implicated in advancing the development of GC. Consequently, it could be considered a potential target for therapeutic interventions and a prognostic biomarker for GC patients.