Long Non-Coding RNA RFX5-AS1 Demonstrates Upregulation in Ovarian Cancer Staging

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a significant global health challenge to women's health worldwide, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Early detection of OC remains a serious challenge since it is asymptomatic, and the conventional biomarkers (CA125 and HE4) often lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity in the initial stages. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as promising molecular indicators due to their regulatory roles in tumorigenesis. Previously, bioinformatics analysis using the GEPIA database identified the upregulation of RFX5-AS1 in OC compared to healthy individuals, suggesting its potential as a biomarker and highlighting its role in OC pathophysiology and tumor progression. The current study investigated the possibility of early detection potential of RFX5-AS1 as a marker for OC, emphasizing the need for further investigation of this lncRNA to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies. The expression levels of RFX5-AS1 were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in well-characterized ovarian tissue samples obtained from OriGene Technology, USA, encompassing a spectrum of disease stages. Rigorous normalization to housekeeping (β-actin) was performed to ensure reproducibility and accuracy. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate differential expression across stages. RFX5-AS1 was significantly upregulated in early-stage ovarian cancer tissues, with elevated expression observed in stage IIA (p = 0.0490) and stage IIB (p = 0.0113). Importantly, RFX5-AS1 expression remained consistently high in advanced disease, with significant increases detected in stage IIIB (p = 0.0156) and stage IV (p = 0.0286). These findings suggest that RFX5-AS1 is not only detectable at early stages but also maintains relevance in later progression, underscoring its potential utility as a robust biomarker across the disease continuum. The consistent overexpression of RFX5-AS1 in both early and late stages of ovarian cancer highlights its promise as a reliable biomarker for early detection and disease monitoring. Incorporation of RFX5-AS1 into diagnostic workflows may improve sensitivity in identifying OC at stages where current markers are limited, thereby contributing to earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes. Citation Format: Alya Juma Al Handhali, Shika Malgundkar, Ikram Burney, Aikou Okamoto, Yahya Tamimi. Long non-coding RNA RFX5-AS1 exhibits upregulated expression in early stages of ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 5902.