The long noncoding RNA CASC9 regulates migration and invasion in esophageal cancer

The objective of the study was to investigate the expression and functions of CASC9 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) upregulated in ESCC tissues were detected by RNA sequencing. Expression of CASC9 was determined from clinical samples and cell lines by qRT-PCR. The effects of CASC9 knockdown on migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing assay, cell migration and invasion assays in vitro. We found that the lncRNA, CASC9, was markedly upregulated in ESCC tissues. Furthermore, knockdown of CASC9 significantly suppressed cell migration and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, enhanced CASC9 expression level was correlated with differentiation. The results indicated that CASC9 is significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and may represent a new marker of poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target for esophageal cancer intervention.