Long non-coding RNA RFX5-AS1 exhibits upregulated expression in early stages of ovarian cancer

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 (beta-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.