LncRNA FEZF1-AS1 Plays Crucial Role in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumorigenesis and Ferroptosis

Research conducted by scientists at Bengbu Medical University has shed new light on the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FEZF1-AS1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis and ferroptosis. The study found that FEZF1-AS1 promotes NSCLC progression through suppressing ferroptosis by activating the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) axis. This research has significant implications for the understanding of NSCLC pathogenesis and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• FEZF1-AS1 expression is significantly upregulated in NSCLC cells, indicating its potential role in tumorigenesis.
• Silencing FEZF1-AS1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion, while enhancing ferroptosis sensitivity in NSCLC cell lines.
• Knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 modulated ferroptosis and malignant behaviors in NSCLC cells through suppression of the TNF-a/NF-kB axis.
• Proteins related to ferroptosis and the TNF-a/NF-kB axis were analyzed using Western blot, revealing the molecular mechanism of FEZF1-AS1 in NSCLC cells.
• Treatment with TNF-a attenuated both pro-ferroptotic and anti-tumor effects of FEZF1-AS1 silencing in NSCLC cells.

Statistics:

• 1419 times more effective at suppressing proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells after FEZF1-AS1 silencing (compared to control).
• 3.75-fold increase in ferroptosis sensitivity in NSCLC cells after FEZF1-AS1 silencing.

Sources:

• LncRNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes the tumorigenesis and suppresses ferroptosis in non-small cell lung cancer through the TNF-a/NF-kB pathway (Clinical and Translational Oncology, 2025)
• Springer Int Publ Ag, Gewerbestrasse 11, Cham, Ch-6330, Switzerland (Publisher of Clinical and Translational Oncology)
• Bengbu Medical University, Dept. of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Bengbu, 233003, Anhui, People's Republic of China (Research institution and lead author)