Objective To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) HCG11 and miR-590-3p in squamous carcinoma of cervix and paired adjacent tissues, and their correlation with patients' clinical data and prognosis.

Methods Specimens of cervical cancer tissues and matched non-tumor para-neoplastic tissues were collected from 58 patients who underwent surgery in The Second People's Hospital of Nanyang. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to examine the expression of LncRNA HCG11 and miR-590-3p, the correlation between them was be analyzed, and we also analyzed their correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Results LncRNA HCG11 expression was significantly down-regulated in squamous carcinoma of cervix tissues as compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues(P < 0.05); the expression of miR-590-3p was significantly up-regulated in squamous carcinoma of cervix tissues as compared with the adjacent non-tumor tissues(P < 0.05); their expression levels of nucleic acid showed a negative correlation (r=0.642, P=0.000). LncRNA HCG11 and miR-590-3p expression were significantly correlated with FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, tissue size of tumor and prognosis(P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis suggested that LncRNA HCG11 or miR-590-3p expression served as independent predictors for overall survival respectively.

Conclusion LncRNA HCG11 and miR-590-3p may be potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for squamous carcinoma of cervix. LncRNA HCG11 may play the role of tumor suppressor by means of regulating the expression of miR-590-3p.