CircPTP4A2 (hsa_circ_0007364) facilitates non-small cell lung cancer progression by regulating miR-127-5p/SMC3

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major subtype of lung cancer and accounts for a large proportion of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite extensive research progress in recent years, the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer remain insufficient. There is an urgent need to deepen the mechanistic understanding of lung cancer, develop early diagnostic strategies, and explore novel therapeutic targets. In this study, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of circPTP4A2 (circular RNA PTP4A2) in tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 50 NSCLC patients. CircPTP4A2 was significantly upregulated in tumor tissues and was closely associated with patient survival and prognosis. In vitro silencing of circPTP4A2 in NSCLC cell lines SPCA1 and H1299 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and malignant metastatic potential. Moreover, modulating the expression of miR-127-5p and SMC3 effectively reversed the phenotypic changes induced by circPTP4A2 knockdown. In conclusion, circPTP4A2 is upregulated in NSCLC and promotes tumorigenesis and progression through the miR-127-5p/SMC3 signaling axis.