Hsa_circ_0001073 targets miR‐626/LIFR axis to inhibit lung cancer progression

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with lung cancer progression. However, it is unclear whether and how circRNA hsa_circ_0001073 (circ_0001073) are involved in lung cancer progression. circ_0001073, microRNA (miR)‐626, and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) abundances were determined via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Cell viability, invasion, and apoptosis were analyzed by cell counting kit‐8, transwell analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. The target correlation was tested by dual‐luciferase reporter analysis or RNA immunoprecipitation. Results showed that circ_0001073 abundance was down‐regulated in lung cancer cells. circ_0001073 constrained cell viability and invasion and facilitated apoptosis in lung cancer cells. miR‐626 was targeted via circ_0001073, and circ_0001073 inhibited lung cancer progression via reducing miR‐626 expression. LIFR was targeted via miR‐626, and miR‐626 knockdown constrained cell viability and invasion and facilitated apoptosis in lung cancer cells via up‐regulating LIFR. circ_0001073 increased LIFR expression via miR‐626 in lung cancer cells. In conclusion, circ_0001073 represses lung cancer progression via miR‐626/LIFR axis, indicating the potential value of circ_0001073 in lung cancer treatment.