Homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) (HOXA11-AS)

Homeobox A11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the HOXA gene cluster, which is essential for embryonic development and cellular differentiation (Sun et al., 2016, PubMed: 27105511). It functions primarily as a molecular scaffold or a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), often referred to as a "microRNA sponge," thereby modulating the expression of downstream target genes involved in the cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Liu et al., 2017, PubMed: 29130016). In the context of oncology, HOXA11-AS is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including gastric, colorectal, and non-small cell lung cancers, where it promotes tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy (Li et al., 2018, PubMed: 30066914). Beyond cancer, HOXA11-AS has been implicated in the regulation of endometrial receptivity and the progression of diabetic nephropathy and osteoarthritis (Wang et al., 2019, PubMed: 31203456). Although there are currently no FDA-approved drugs that target HOXA11-AS, it is being actively investigated as a therapeutic target using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNA-based knockdown strategies in preclinical studies (Zhang et al., 2020, PubMed: 32451123). Its specific expression patterns in diseased tissues also position it as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patient stratification.

Other names

HOXA11ASHOXA11 antisense RNANCRNA00076lncRNA HOXA11-AS

Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) activity by sponging microRNAs and recruitment of chromatin-modifying enzymes to gene promoters