An axis involving TPX2/hsa-let-7b-5p/TMPO-AS1 promotes lung adenocarcinoma in smokers

Introduction. Lung cancer, a disease with the highest morbidity and mortality rates, is associated with smoking, which highlights the need for a better understanding of prognosis-related mRNA/miRNA/lncRNA-ceRNA networks. Material and methods. To look at TPX2 /miRNA and LncRNA expression in lung cancer tumors and healthy tissues, the study used such databases as UALCAN, OncoDB, ENCORI, KM Plotter, miRNet, and CancerMIRNome. Results. In lung cancer cells, the TPX2 gene is overexpressed and linked to lung squamous cell carcinoma. High TPX2 expression is significantly associated with adenocarcinoma patients (HR = 1.88; CI 1.58–2.33; p = 2.8e–13) and those with a smoking history (HR = 1.71; CI 1.32–2.22; p = 4e–05). miRNA hsa-let-7b-5p negatively correlated with TPX2 expression (–0.371), while lncRNA TMPO-AS1 positively correlated with the TPX2 axis (0.659). Conclusions. Smokers with lung adenocarcinoma have poorer prognosis due to elevated levels of TPX2 and TMPO- -AS1 and low levels of miRNA hsa-let-7b-5p, possibly due to the formation of TMPO-AS1 sponges. These factors contribute to aggressive growth and poor prognosis. Targeting these factors and increasing miRNA hsa-let-7b-5p could potentially improve patient prognosis by inhibiting these factors and reducing aggressive cancer growth. Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate this targeted therapy.