Significance of MALAT1 long non-coding RNA and miR-20a-5p in regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition in luminal breast cancer patients

Sep 22, 2026

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Luminal breast cancer (LBC) is the most common breast cancer subtype and, despite a relatively better prognosis, responds poorly to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Non-coding RNAs regulate key biological processes in breast cancer, with MALAT1 implicated in progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) linked to cell movement. This study profiles MALAT1, EMT-related miRNAs, and EMT markers in LBC, evaluating expression differences and clinical correlations to define therapeutic and prognostic potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keywords

Background

Tarek et al. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute (2026) 38:3 [https://doi.org/10.1186/s43046-026-00339-w](https://doi.org/10.1186/s43046-026-00339-w) Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute RESEARCH Open Access Significance of MALAT1 long non-coding RNA and miR-20a-5p in regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition in luminal breast cancer patients Gehad Tarek1,2, Manar Fouda1, Mohamed Omran1, Gehan Safwat2, Mahmoud Kamel3,4 and Abdel Hady Abdel Wahab5* Abstract Background Luminal breast cancer (LBC) is the most common subtype of breast cancer affecting women worldwide. Although luminal breast cancer typically has a better prognosis, it mostly responds poorly to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Non-coding RNAs, especially long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs are crucial in regulating biological processes that contribute to breast cancer development. MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA, is pivotal in the progression of breast cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for cell movement during embryonic development. Clarifying this role could pave various avenues for developing innovative strategies for combating this subtype of malignancy. The present study aimed to investigate the expression profiles and clinical relevance of MALAT1 level and EMT-related miRNAs (miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-135b-5p, and miR-146a-5p) alongside EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, twist, SNAI1, Slug, ZEB1, and ZEB2) in LBC patients. Methods Fresh tissues were collected from fifty patients and twenty noncancerous controls. Differential expression of the markers was evaluated using qRT-PCR assay. Spearman Rho test assessed the relationship between the expression levels. Linear regression test evaluated the correlation between the parameters and various clinicopathological features. Results Our results revealed an overall upregulation of MALAT1 in breast cancer tissues although this increase did not reach statistical significance. Overexpression of miR-20a-5p, miR-135b, and ZEB2 was reported, whereas miR146a-5p, ZEB1 and Vimentin levels were suppressed. Correlation analysis demonstrated that miR-20a-5p was positively correlated with SNAI1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Slug also it was significantly associated with family history and tumor laterality. Conclusions Our findings suggest that miR-20a-5p plays an oncogenic role in luminal breast cancer by promoting EMT, while MALAT1 may contribute to disease progression through indirect regulatory mechanisms. Finally, MALAT1 and miR-20a-5p might serve as potential therapeutic and prognostic targets in LBC. *Correspondence: Abdel Hady Abdel Wahab [abdelhady.abdelwahab@nci.cu.edu.eg](abdelhady.abdelwahab@nci.cu.edu.eg) 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 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, 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 changes were made. 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://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.)[.](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.) Tarek et al. Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute (2026) 38:3 Page 2 of 12 Keywords Breast cancer, Non-coding RNA, MALAT1, MicroRNA, miR-20a-5p, Luminal subtype Background

FAQs

What is the purpose of investigating MALAT1 and EMT-related miRNAs in luminal breast cancer?

To assess expression profiles and their clinical relevance in LBC patients, and determine how they relate to EMT regulation and disease progression.

How were gene and marker expression levels measured in the study?

Fresh tissues from fifty patients and twenty noncancerous controls were analyzed using qRT-PCR, and relationships were tested with Spearman Rho and linear regression.

Which findings support a role for miR-20a-5p and MALAT1 in luminal breast cancer?

miR-20a-5p was overexpressed and positively correlated with multiple EMT-related genes, while MALAT1 may contribute indirectly to progression and both may serve as therapeutic and prognostic targets.

Sep 22, 2026

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