Gliomas with Downregulation of lncRNA SLC25A21-AS1 Carry a Dismal Prognosis and an Accelerated Progression in Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion.

Glioma is one type of primary intracranial carcinoma with a relatively poor prognosis. We investigated the level of SLC25A21-AS1 in gliomas and the association with survival and progression in patients with glioma. Specimens of gliomas from patients were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the SLC25A21-AS1 level (117 specimens). For prognostic value assessment, χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test, and Multivariate survival analysis were performed. The direct targets for SLC25A21-AS1 were explored. The biological roles of SLC25A21-AS1 were investigated by manipulating the expression level of SLC25A21-AS1 in glioma cells. SLC25A21-AS1 was significantly downregulated in glioma specimens and cell lines compared to non-cancerous ones. Significant associations were found between SLC25A21-AS1 downregulation and WHO stage, IDH status, poor disease-free survival/overall survival. miR-221-3p/miR-222-3p were the target miRNAs for SLC25A21-AS1. Overexpression of SLC25A21-AS1 inhibited glioma cell growth, invasion, and migration while miR-221-3p/miR-222-3p-overexpressed groups could offset this effect. Downregulation of SLC25A21-AS1 in gliomas carries a universally poor prognosis. Overexpression of SLC25A21-AS1 inhibited glioma progression via miR-221-3p/miR-222-3p.