Molecular markers for cervical cancer prognosis - a prognostic model using stemness-related lncRNAs and functional analysis of EMX2OS

Sep 22, 2026

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Cancer stemness-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are investigated for their ability to clarify cervical cancer prognosis, clinical relevance, and underlying biology. The study identifies stemness-related lncRNAs in cervical cancer and builds a prognostic model to assess patient outcomes. Transcriptome data from TCGA are used to construct co-expression networks, followed by univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression modeling. EMX2OS expression is validated in tissues and linked to clinicopathological features, while functional assays test how EMX2OS overexpression affects proliferation, migration, and invasion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Materials & methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Liu et al. BMC Cancer (2026) 26:696 BMC Cancer [https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-026-16022-1](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-026-16022-1) RESEARCH Open Access Molecular markers for cervical cancer prognosis: a prognostic model using stemness-related lncRNAs and functional analysis of EMX2OS Xiaochen Liu1,2,3, Yuandong Liao1,3, Yunyun Liu1,3, Hua Huang1,3, Chunyu Zhang1,3, Shiying Huang1,3, Shuhang Qin1,3, Ming Chen1,3, Meng Xia1,3, Tianyu Liu1,3, Yanchun Liang1,3 and Shuzhong Yao1,3* Abstract Background Cancer stemness-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in tumor initiation and progression. This study aimed to identify stemness-related lncRNAs in cervical cancer (CESC) and evaluate the prognostic significance, clinical relevance, and biological functions. Materials & methods Transcriptome data from the Cancer Genome Atlas were used to construct a co-expression network of cancer stemness-related genes and CESC-specific lncRNAs, focusing on cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma. Identified stemness-related lncRNAs were used to develop a prognostic model through univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization were performed to measure EMX2OS expression in normal and cancerous cervical tissues. Statistical tests were applied to analyze the association between EMX2OS expression and clinicopathological features. The effects of EMX2OS overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were investigated using using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, plate cloning assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assays. Results A prognostic model comprising five lncRNAs (FOXD3-AS1, KCNMB2-AS1, EMX2OS, LINC02446, SOCS2-AS1) was developed, demonstrating robust prognostic performance. EMX2OS expression was significantly down-regulated in CESC tissues compared to normal tissues. In situ hybridization showed a marked association between EMX2OS expression and tumor size (P = 0 . 005), depth of stromal invasion (P = 0 . 009), and 5-year survival status (P = 0 . 003) . The 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in the low expression group (P = 0 . 006) . Overexpression of EMX2OS significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conclusions The prognostic model based on 5 lncRNAs reflecting the stemness of CESC stem cells can reliably predict the prognosis of patients with CESC. Additionally, EMX2OS serves as a significant tumor suppressor marker in CESC. *Correspondence: Shuzhong Yao [yaoshuzh@sysu.edu.cn](yaoshuzh@sysu.edu.cn) Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s) 2026. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit [http://creati](http://creati)[vecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/](vecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.)[.](vecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.) Liu et al. BMC Cancer (2026) 26:696 Page 2 of 13 Keywords CESC, Stemness-related lncRNAs, Prognostic model, EMX

FAQs

What is the main goal of the study on cervical cancer prognosis?

To identify stemness-related lncRNAs in cervical cancer and develop a prognostic model that evaluates clinical significance and biological functions.

How was the prognostic model constructed?

Transcriptome data were used to build a co-expression network, and stemness-related lncRNAs were selected using univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

What role does EMX2OS play according to the findings?

EMX2OS is down-regulated in CESC tissues, correlates with tumor progression and survival, and its overexpression suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Sep 22, 2026

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