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We identified 275 differentially expressed circRNAs and the expression level of two circRNAs was confirmed using real-time quantitative PCR.

BackgroundKIF18B was identified as a potential oncogene by analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database.Materials and methodsWe assessed KIF18B expression and explored its clinical significance in cervical cancer tissues. We have also evaluated the effects of KIF18B on cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsOur results show that KIF18B is overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues and is associated with a large primary tumor size, an advanced FIGO stage, and an advanced tumor grade. Knockdown of KIF18B induces cell cycle G1-phase arrest and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cervical cancer cells, whereas its overexpression promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in these cells. Moreover, silencing of KIF18B reduces expression of CyclinD1, β-catenin, C-myc, and p-GSK3β expression.ConclusionThese data suggest that KIF18B can serve as a novel oncogene that promotes the tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

BackgroundSince circular RNAs (circRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, they have attracted increasing attention. However, there is no existing tool to annotate and extract spliced sequences for circRNAs and no tool to determine the specificity of circRNA primers.ResultsIn this study, we present circPrimer, which allows users to search, annotate, and visualize circRNAs. Additionally, circPrimer enables users to extract the spliced sequences and genomic sequences of any circRNA, including novel circRNAs. Furthermore, circPrimer help users to design primers for circRNAs and to determine the specificity of the circRNA primers.ConclusionsCircPrimer is a user-friendly tool for exploring circRNAs that does not require special user skills.

Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide due to delayed diagnosis as well as recurrence and drug resistance. Thus, the development of new tumor-related molecules with high sensitivity and specificity to replace or supplement existing tools is urgently needed. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are exclusively expressed in normal testis tissues but abundantly found in several types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Numerous novel CTAs have been identified by high-throughput sequencing techniques, and some aberrantly expressed CTAs are associated with ovarian cancer initiation, clinical outcomes and chemotherapy resistance. More importantly, CTAs are immunogenic and may be novel targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. In this review, we attempt to characterize the expression of candidate CTAs in ovarian cancer and their clinical significance as biomarkers, activation mechanisms, function in malignant phenotypes and applications in immunotherapy.

Curcumin, a major yellow pigment and spice in turmeric and curry, is a powerful anti-cancer agent. The anti-tumor activities of curcumin include inhibition of tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, induction of tumor apoptosis, increase of chemotherapy sensitivity, and regulation of cell cycle and cancer stem cell, indicating that curcumin maybe a strong therapeutic potential through modulating various cancer progression. It has been reported that microRNAs as small noncoding RNA molecules are related to cancer progression, which can be regulated by curcumin. Dysregulated microRNAs play vital roles in tumor biology via regulating expressions of target genes and then influencing multiple cancer-related signaling pathways. In this review, we focused on the inhibition effect of curcumin on various cancer progression by regulating expression of multiple microRNAs. Curcumin-induced dysregulation of microRNAs may activate or inactivate a set of signaling pathways, such as Akt, Bcl-2, PTEN, p53, Notch, and Erbb signaling pathways. A better understanding of the relation between curcumin and microRNAs may provide a potential therapeutic target for various cancers.

MiRNAs, small non-coding RNA molecules, were recognized to be associated with the incidence and development of diverse neoplasms. MiRNAs were small non-coding RNAs that could regulate post-transcriptional level by binding to 3′-UTR of target mRNAs. Amongst which, miR-29a was demonstrated that it had significant impact on oncogenicity in various neoplasms through binding to critical genes which enhanced or inhibited the progression of cancers. MiR-29a participated in kinds of physiological and pathological processes, including virus replication, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, tumorigenicity, metastasis, drug-resistance, and so on. According to its sufficient sensitivity and specificity, many studies showed that miR-29a might serve as a potential therapeutic target and promising biomarker in various tumors. In this review, we discussed the functions of miR-29a and its potential application in the diagnosis, treatment and stages of carcinoma, which could provide additional insight to develop a novel therapeutic strategy.

Hsa_circ_0072995 may be a novel biomarker for breast cancer, and may function in metastasis of breast cancer.