Long noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 facilitates tumor growth through enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in colorectal cancer.

Increasing evidences have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in cancer biology. However, the contributions of lncRNAs to colorectal cancer remain largely unknown. Here, we identify a lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 that facilitates colorectal cancer, where it is upregulated. AFAP1-AS1 expression was associated with colorectal cancer patient survival. AFAP1-AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle, and tumorigenesis in an subcutaneous mouse xenograft model system. Further data demonstrated that AFAP1-AS1 was associated with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and that this association was required for the repression of EZH2 target genes. Our findings indicate that AFAP1-AS1 is an oncogenic lncRNA that promotes tumor progression and may be a novel prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. Targeting AFAP1-AS1 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer treatment.