Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent potential biomarkers because of their highly stable structure and robust expression pattern in clinical samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of a recently identified circRNA, hsa_circ_0005986; determine its clinical significance; and evaluate its potential as a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated hsa_circ_0005986 expression in 123 HCC tissue samples, its clinical significance, and its association with patients' clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Hsa_circ_0005986 expression was downregulated in HCC tissues. Low hsa_circ_0005986 expression was more common in tumors larger than 5 cm [odds ratio (OR), 3.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.51-6.76; p = 0.002], advanced TNM stage (III/IV; OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.16-4.95; p = 0.018), and higher BCLC stage (B/C; OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.30-5.65; p = 0.007). High hsa_circ_0005986 expression was associated with improved survival and was an independent prognostic factor for overall [hazard ratio (HR), 0.572; 95% CI, 0.339-0.966; p = 0.037] and progression-free (HR, 0.573; 95% CI, 0.362-0.906; p = 0.017) survival. Moreover, the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed using RNA-seq/miRNA-seq data and clinical information from TCGA-LIHC dataset. Our findings indicate a promising role for hsa_circ_0005986 as a prognostic biomarker in patients with HCC.
© 2021. The Author(s).