Expression Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA HAR1A and HAR1B in HBV-Induced Hepatocullular Carcinoma in Chinese Patients.

Objective: To determine the clinical relevance of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) HAR1A and HAR1B expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: In this study, we enrolled 50 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) without cirrhosis, 50 cases of CHB and liver cirrhosis (LC), and 100 cases of HBV and HCC. The expression profiles of lncRNA HAR1A and HAR1B were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: The expression levels of HAR1A and HAR1B were significantly lower in the HCC group, compared with the CHB and LC groups (P <.01). HAR1A and HAR1B were negatively associated with histologic grade and TNM (tumor/nodes/metastasis) stage (all P <.05). Univariable multivariable analysis showed that decreased HAR1A (HR = 0.753, P = .02) and HAR1B (HR = 0.551, P = .01) levels were independent predictors for shorter overall survival (OS) in HCC.

Conclusion: Decreased HAR1A and HAR1B expression in HCC indicates poor prognosis.