Abstract P81: Hsa_circ_0116796 as a novel regulator and potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma
Keun Hur, Gyeonghwa Kim, Yu Rim Lee, Won Young Tak, Soo Young ParkAbstract
Background:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, exhibiting a poor prognosis due to its high metastatic potential and lack of effective diagnostic and prognostic markers. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), have emerged as crucial regulators of tumorigenesis. CircRNAs, which form a closed-loop structure via back-splicing, can act as miRNA sponges and have been implicated in angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Methods:
Tissue samples from patients with HCC were analyzed to assess circRNA expression profiles. Hsa_circ_0116796 expression was measured in both normal liver tissues and HCC tissues. In vitro cell models were established to overexpress or suppress hsa_circ_0116796, and functional assays (cell viability, migration, invasion) were performed. Potential target miRNAs and downstream mRNAs were identified using in silico prediction tools and validated by qRT-PCR. In addition, exosomes released from HCC cells were isolated and applied to recipient HCC cells to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0116796 transfer in modulating tumor cell behavior.
Results:
Hsa_circ_0116796 expression was significantly lower in normal liver tissues than in HCC tissues. Functional assays demonstrated that overexpression of hsa_circ_0116796 inhibited HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, suggesting a tumor-suppressive function. Bioinformatic analysis and qRT-PCR validation indicated that hsa_circ_0116796 sponges specific miRNAs, thereby regulating downstream mRNAs associated with oncogenic pathways. Furthermore, HCC-derived exosomes containing hsa_circ_0116796 effectively transferred this circRNA to recipient HCC cells, resulting in reduced proliferative capacity of these cells.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that hsa_circ_0116796 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC by regulating cell growth and metastatic potential through miRNA sponging. The transfer of hsa_circ_0116796 via exosomes further emphasizes its potential as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC.
Citation Format:
Keun Hur, Gyeonghwa Kim, Yu Rim Lee, Won Young Tak, Soo Young Park. Hsa_circ_0116796 as a novel regulator and potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of Frontiers in Cancer Science 2025; 2025 Nov 5-7; Singapore. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(13_Suppl):Abstract nr P81.