Cancer susceptibility 20 (non-protein coding) (CASC20)

Cancer susceptibility 20 (non-protein coding), abbreviated as CASC20, is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene located on chromosome 20p12.3. It does not encode a protein but regulates cellular processes through modulation of microRNAs and gene expression. CASC20 is upregulated in several pathophysiological contexts, most notably in gastric cancer, where it acts as an oncogene promoting proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis by sponging microRNAs such as miR-143-5p and influencing downstream targets like MEMO1[2][7]. CASC20 is implicated in bone biology, particularly being strongly associated with osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and heterotopic ossification after injury or surgery[1]. Diseases linked to dysregulation of CASC20 include gastric cancer, calcific tendinitis, and heterotopic ossification[5]. CASC20 may serve as a biomarker for prognosis and disease severity in these conditions, but no approved drugs are known to target it directly, and its therapeutic tractability remains under investigation[2][1][5].

Other names

Cancer susceptibility candidate 20 (non-protein coding)Cancer susceptibility 20 (lncRNA)CASC20 lncRNAENSG00000229876 (Ensembl)NCBI Gene: 101929244

Acts as a competitive endogenous RNA, sponging specific microRNAs such as miR-143-5p, thereby regulating downstream targets like MEMO1 and modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor metastasis[2] Modulates microRNA expression affecting genes involved in osteogenesis and chondrogenesis[1]